2 cabbies, robbed minutes apart, tag same suspect

MANILA, Philippines - Two cabbies driving for the same taxi company, robbed within an hour of each other in Quezon City before dawn yesterday, identified the same man as the one who robbed them.

Both Alberto Robina  and Eric Layos work for Sturdy Taxi, police said.

Robina’s cab (TWS-955) was hailed by two men in Fairview at around 3 a.m. But when they reached 20th Avenue, the men took his P300 earnings and his taxi at knifepoint. 

At past 4 a.m. Layos’ cab (TWB-428) was hailed by two men along 20th Avenue. But when they reached Judge Jimenez street, the robbers took Layos’ P3,200 earnings and commandeered his vehicle as well.

Since both incidents happened within the area of jurisdiction of the Quezon City Police District Station 10, the two drivers met at the police station.

They picked out the photo of Celino Mamuco, who had previously been arrested for robbery, from the station’s rogues’ gallery and said he was one of two men who robbed them.

Police said Robina’s cab had been recovered at around 7 a.m. along 20th Avenue.