ILOILO — Police apprehended a 30-year-old man who attempted to rob a taxi driver in Jaro district on Friday, January 16.
The suspect was identified as Mark John Carlo Presidente, a resident of the district’s Barangay San Pedro.
Investigation revealed that the suspect hailed a taxi at GT Mall in Pavia, Iloilo going to Robinsons Place in City Proper district.
According to taxi driver Joseph Alegado, 55, of Barangay Camambugan, Sta. Barbara town, upon arriving at the mall, the suspect changed his mind, instructing him to take him to Jaro instead, claiming he needed to do his laundry.
As the taxi navigated through the streets of Barangay Javellana, Jaro at around 2 p.m., the suspect suddenly attacked the taxi driver, locking him in a chokehold as he declared a hold-up.
Alegado said while the suspect was rummaging through his pockets, he took advantage of the situation, opened the taxi door and escaped to report to the nearest police station.
“I didn’t think I would be robbed. He looked quite normal,” Alegado said, noting that the suspect appeared to be an everyday passenger.
He sustained minor injuries, including scratches on his right hand and pain in his back from the forceful exit.
The suspect meanwhile carted the victim’s money worth P700.
An hour later after the victim reported the incident to the authorities, the suspect, who left behind an identification card inside the taxi, was caught at his uncle’s residence in Barangay San Pedro during a hot pursuit operation.
Major Eduardo Siacon Jr., head of the Iloilo City Police Station 9, confirmed that charges have been filed against the suspect, who is currently in police custody./PN
