Cabbie robbed, killed in Caloocan

At least three robbers stabbed dead a taxi driver and escaped with the victim’s earnings before dawn yesterday in Caloocan City.

Chief Inspector Marcelo Mariano, Caloocan City police investigation branch chief, identified the victim as Robert Mendoza, 40, of Nueva Ecija.

The body of Mendoza was found inside his cab, a white Rey Sellejom taxi (PVZ-248), on Tanigue Street in Barangay 14, Dagat-Dagatan at around 4:30 a.m.

Mariano said a tricycle driver noticed Mendoza’s taxi was improperly parked. He approached the vehicle and saw the bloodied driver slumped on his seat.

The unnamed tricycle driver sought the assistance of barangay tanods, who in turn reported the incident to the police.

Mariano said that the victim’s earnings and his wallet were missing.

Residents said they saw a woman and two men walking away from Mendoza’s cab, which was parked in a dimly lit portion of the street a few minutes before Mendoza’s body was discovered.

“Maybe the victim tried to fight off the robbers but was overpowered. The street was dark, that’s why residents failed to notice the commotion. The area has no streetlamp,” a resident said, adding that the woman may have served as “bait” for the taxi driver to give the suspects a ride.

The Caloocan City police were still investigating the case yesterday. – Pete Laude