Taxi driver robbed by 3 passengers, left unhurt
A taxi driver was robbed by his three passengers yesterday night. He was released unhurt by the suspects but only after he was placed inside his taxi's compartment for about three hours.
The victim, Jonel Salvador of Brgy. Tabucan, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, drives an Avanza unit of the GDR Taxi.
Radio accounts had Salvador saying that the three suspects flagged down his cab near the old airport site in Mandurriao district around 11:25 p.m.
While on their way the suspects declared a hold up then took over the driver's seat. Salvador was then blindfolded and his hands tied. They then took his cash collection amounting to P2,300 and his cellular phone.
Upon reaching a certain area, the suspects went down the taxi then brought the driver to the compartment threatening him that he would be shot if he creates noise.
Inside the compartment, Salvador overheard the suspects talking in Kinaray-a that they will wait for delivery trucks which they will flag down for the truck ban.
Salvador said he did know what happened next as he was inside the taxi compartment but he feared for his life thinking that the suspects might have an encounter with the police and he could be hit in the cross fire.
Later, Salvador sensed that the suspects went back to the taxi and drove it to a hilly and rough road area.
Upon reaching some point the taxi stopped then the suspects took him out of the compartment then they let him kneel, untied him then told him not to take his blindfold until they said so.
After hearing the signal Salvador took his blindfold then immediately went back to his taxi then drove away following the trail.
He said he could not recognize the area since it was very dark and there were no houses.
He only learned that he was in Sta. Barbara upon reaching the main road and seeing the direction billboards.
Salvador could not also recall the faces of the suspects but he said they were of medium built, about 5'6” in height and wearing maong jackets.
He said the suspects were carrying high-powered firearms like M-14, M-16 rifles and carbine.
Donna Rose Ratilla, owner of GDR Taxi, was thankful that Salvador was not hurt by the robbers although he suffered an ordeal for about three hours.
She said she will not let the driver pay for the rental of the taxi unit.
Salvador has been a driver at GDR Taxi for about three years.
To recall, in 2006 a taxi driver also of GDR Taxi Neil Loza was robbed then killed in Anilao, Iloilo by still unknown suspects.