QCPD arrests cabbie for robbing students

MANILA, Philippines - A taxi driver was nabbed for allegedly robbing a teenage girl over the weekend, and the Quezon City police believe the suspect may have robbed his previous passengers.

Ephrem Efren Biagtan, 28, a cabbie from MGE taxi, was arrested by police officers from the Quezon City Police District Station 3 at the company’s garage.

Senior Inspector Rey Medina said it appears that the company management did not seem to be aware of Biagtan’s alleged illegal activities.

Police also found Biagtan carrying a number of identification cards of students. Medina said they will check whether Biagtan robbed the owners of these identification cards.

“We have been advising passengers to avoid cabbies who moonlight as robbers – to choose, if possible, taxicabs from established companies. But it seems that even the public cannot be complacent anymore with cabbies from big taxi fleets,” Medina said in an interview.

According to Medina, Biagtan was charged with robbery based on a complaint by Margarette Mesina, 16, who identified the suspect as the one who took her cellular phone and P10,000 Sunday.

Medina said Mesina boarded the taxi along Quezon Avenue at around 4 a.m. Sunday and asked to be brought to Novaliches.

“When they reached Quezon Memorial Circle, instead of going to (the direction of) Mindanao Avenue, the vehicle turned to Commonwealth Avenue, the teenager became suspicious,” Medina said. “When she asked the driver where they were going, the driver didn’t say anything.”

Medina said Mesina then sent a text message to her friend residing in Fairview, one that included the body marking and plate number of the taxicab. The teenager’s friend eventually spotted the vehicle and flagged down the cab to ask the driver. The cabbie reportedly said there was nothing wrong.

“At that point, the teenager had already been robbed. Without bringing out any weapon, the cabbie was able to threaten the victim along the way and divest her cash and phone. And so when her friend saw the vehicle and flagged it down, she saw an opportunity to jump out of the cab,” Medina said.

The police official said that after the taxicab sped off, the teenager and her friend proceeded to the community precinct of the QCPD-Station 3 to report the incident.

“Since the MGE garage was very near our precinct, we were able to immediately trace the driver and the taxicab there through the help of a tipster,” Medina said.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has launched a “trip tracker” system to identify and arrest taxi drivers who commit crimes or connive with crime groups.

“Passengers simply need to text the plate number and name of the taxi cab as soon as they are on board the taxi. This way, cab drivers will have second thoughts” before committing a crime, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said.

The MMDA said passengers can contact its Metrocall 136 hotline or call or send text messages to 0917-5618709 (Globe) or 0920-9472116 (Smart).             – With Mike Frialde