FX driver lands in jail for robbing passenger

A 28-year-old FX taxi driver was apprehended by the joint National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force and Parañaque City police checkpoint last Friday evening along Coastal Road some two hours after he allegedly robbed his passenger in Pasay City.

Police Officer 2 Miguel Manginga, of the Pasay City police departmment, identified the suspect as Queenie Odiamar, 28, a resident of Block 14, Gardenia Valley, Molino, Cavite. Robbery charges are set to be filed at the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.

Initial investigation showed Jeanne Bergante, 19, a student of Philippine Christian University, a resident of 0433 Dama de Noche street, Pildera 1, Pasay City boarded an FX taxi (PYB-281) with side markings "Tail Rotor" at around 6:30 p.m. yesterday.

When they reached World Trade Center along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, all other passengers alighted from the vehicle, leaving her alone with the driver. It was at this juncture when Odiamar pullled out a fan knife, and demanded that she hand over her cellular phone.

Bergante showed him the contents of her bag, which contained no mobile phone. The suspect took her wallet worth of P200.

Manginga said the victim pleaded for the driver to return her school identification card.

After taking her wallet, she was ordered to get out of the vehicle then left her near the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. The suspect sped off toward Baclaran, Parañaque.

"The victim went home and told her father that she was robbed. He then called Patrol 117, which immediately sent out a flash alarm for the vehicle. It was a good thing that she took down the plate number," Manginga said.

Superintendent Ronald Estilles, Parañaque City police chief, said they immediately relayed the information to all policemen in the field and beefed up the monitoring at their checkpoints.

"We have four policemen and four Army personnel under NAKTF on duty at the Coastal Tollgate," Estilles said. Policemen spotted the FX at around 8 p.m.

When interviewed, the suspect admitted that he committed the crime because he needed extra cash to pay for the rent and to buy milk for his children. He has five children and has been an FX driver for eight years. – Evelyn Macairan