Police arrested in Mandaluyong City two taxi drivers engaged in a modus victimizing passengers, mostly foreign nationals.
Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano identified the suspects as John Perez, 44, and Miguelito Llanera, 37.
Mariano said the two were arrested based on the complaint lodged by their latest victim a 37-year-old male Chinese national.
In his complaint, the victim told investigators that around 10 p.m. last Tuesday, he rode a taxi from his residence along Valero Street
going to 3 Central in Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City.
When they reached the southbound intersection of Osmeña Highway near Mascardo Street in Barangay Bangkal, the driver asked the foreigner if he knows the way to his destination.
The victim then handed over his iPhone 12 Pro Max to the driver to show the direction. The driver then parked his taxi and asked another
taxi driver for direction, handing to the latter the foreigner’s mobile phone.
The first driver then instructed the foreigner to transfer to the second taxi saying it will take him to his destination.
But when the victim got off the first taxi, the two drivers sped off towards the direction of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue taking with
them the mobile phone of the victim.
The victim immediately reported the incident to Bangkal Police Substation who conducted a follow-up operation.
The police got a tip from an informant that the suspects were last seen along Boni Street in Mandaluyong City resulting in their arrest.
During interrogation, the victim positively identified the suspects.
“The suspects were involved in multiple theft incidents targeting foreign nationals in Makati City,” said Mariano.
Mariano said the suspects are now detained at the Bangkal Substation detention cell and were charged with violation of Article 308 of the
revised penal code before the Makati City prosecutor’s office.
The SPD chief commended his men for their efforts and swift response to assist the foreign victim and for the immediate arrest of the
notorious taxi drivers.
Mariano reiterated that the “Southern Police District will continue to intensify police visibility and prioritize the safety of the public.”