Cabbie faces theft

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a taxi driver for allegedly stealing a bag containing diving equipment owned by his Vietnamese passenger.

Prosecutor Simaco Labata found probable cause to hold Ariel Gaviola, a resident of F. Jaca Street, Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, for trial.

 Gaviola allegedly took the bag containing diving equipment worth P88,000 which belonged to Hein Pham, a Vietnamese tourist.

 Gaviola failed to submit her counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence despite being summoned.

 “The respondent could not be found at the address on record as per notation of the subpoena issued to him,” the resolution read.

 Labata recommended P32,000 bail for the temporary liberty of Gaviola while his case is being heard in court.

 The victim hailed Gaviola’s taxi on December 6, 2014 at around 8 a.m. from a hotel in Mandaue City. The victim had two bags placed at the baggage compartment of the cab.

Upon reaching his destination in another hotel located along North Reclamation Area, Pham disembarked and was assisted by a security guard in getting his bags.

 Pham discovered that one of his bags was missing and called up the guard to instruct him to call the taxi driver.

 The guard reportedly told Pham that Gaviola would return the bag in the hotel. However, he never returned it after several hours of waiting.

 A footage of the closed-circuit television camera showed that there were two bags which were loaded in Gaviola’s taxi.

Meanwhile, two other men are facing charges before the court for allegedly robbing P70,000 worth of personal items from a house of a woman.

 Rolito Enanoria and Jason Enanoria were held for trial by Prosecutor  Ruso Zaragoza who found probable cause against them for robbery.

 Rolito and Jason allegedly robbed the house of Maria Jugie Balverde in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City around 2 a.m. on November 6, 2014.

 Balverde was in her another house in Barangay Suba, Cebu City at the time of the incident. Her caretaker, Erwin Estillore, was the one looking after her house in Bulacao.  (FREEMAN)