Cab driver, companion nabbed for botched Makati robbery

MANILA, Philippines - A 32-year-old woman was injured after being stabbed twice inside a taxi cab during a botched robbery along Osmeña Highway in Makati City early Tuesday.

Makati Police chief Senior Superintendent Ernesto Barlam identified the victim as Elaine Quiambao, a resident of Imus, Cavite. Quiambao sustained two minor stab wounds in her shoulder and upper back.

Initial investigation showed that Quiambao was aboard the Nissan Sentra “Gaudencio y De Guzman” taxi  (UVB 805) driven by 32-year-old Ponciano Libunao II, when the robbery happened at about 1:30 a.m.

Police said as the taxi reached the corner of Malugay Street in the area of San Antonio Village, one of the suspects – later identified as Ron Jurvy Turla, 21 – appeared from hiding at the front passenger seat and held the victim at knifepoint. Police said Turla hid himself using a blanket.

According to police, Quiambao resisted Turla who then stabbed her twice. Although wounded, Quiambao still managed to open the taxi cab door and jumped out of the running vehicle.

The commotion caught the attention of two Makati Public Safety Authoriy (MAPSA) officers at the area who the caught-up with the taxicab as it crashed into sidewalk gutter.

The two MAPSA officers then arrested Libunao. Police said Turla was shortly arrested as he tried to run towards the parking compound of the nearby Cash and Carry Mall.

Seized from Libunao was a homemade .38 caliber revolver with one live bullet and a balisong (fan knife).

Libunao and Turla are now detained at the Makati Police Station as complaints for illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of a bladed weapon are being prepared against them before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

Quiambao, meanwhile, was rushed to the Makati Medical Center for emergency treatment.