Cabbie robs, stabs drug firm exec in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested a taxi driver hours after he stabbed and left for dead a drug company supervisor he robbed in Marikina City Saturday night.

Noel Araneta, 46, did not resist arrest when policemen came to arrest him at his home at Valley View Subdivision in Barangay Gulod Malaya, San Mateo, Rizal.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel said Araneta ­yielded a black bag containing money, a cell phone and other personal belongings of Maria Nenita Tabago, 38, of Barangay Banaba, also in San Mateo town.

Tabago suffered three stab wounds in the stomach and is being treated at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center.

Tabago, a night shift supervisor of a drug company, boarded a Joanian taxi (TXG-787) driven by Araneta as it passed in front of her house at around 7:45 p.m. Saturday. She asked to be taken to work.

Tabago said she was surprised and asked Araneta why he was taking small and unlighted roads instead of the bigger ones and he explained that he was staying away from heavy traffic.

Because she was suspicious, Tabago wrote down the name and license plate of the taxi. When they reached a dimly lit part of Jasmin Road in Fairlane Subdivision in Barangay Concepcion Uno, Araneta took out a fan knife and announced the heist.

Tabago said she fought back and Araneta stabbed her thrice in the process. He dumped her beside the road and sped off. A witness brought Tabago to the hospital.

Laurel said Tabago handed over the taxi’s name and license plate to police investigators who visited her at the hospital. The taxi operator led the Marikina police to Araneta’s house.

Police are preparing to file robbery with frustrated homicide charges against Araneta, who is being held at the Marikina City police detention center.