Cabbie hurt after fighting off robbers

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

A taxi driver suffered multiple minor injuries after he fought knife-wielding robbers early morning of February 27.

The incident happened along Locsin Avenue in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Jemly Capiltan, 35, driver of Kaolikhan Taxi and resident of Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro, was immediately released from the hospital after he was treated for shallow stab injuries on his face, forehead, arm, and back of his body.

According to reports, two men flagged down Capiltan in front of a mall in La Paz district.

They asked to be ferried to Barangay San Isidro, Jaro and later instructed Capiltan to take the Locsin Avenue route.

As they were passing through Locsin Avenue around 1:20 a.m. Sunday, one of the passengers seated at the front declared the hold-up.

Capiltan claimed he tried to parry the knife attack until he fell out of his taxi.

The victim managed to evade and sought assistance while the suspects fled to an unknown direction.

Capiltan was taken to West Visayas State University Medical Center for treatment.

Captain Eduardo Siacon, Iloilo City Police Station 3 chief, said Capiltan’s personal belongings and daily earnings were untouched.

In a follow-up conducted by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Intelligence Section, one of the suspects was arrested at 11 a.m. at his house in Barangay San Isidro.

Siacon temporarily withheld the suspect’s identity.

The suspect denied taking part in the robbery, but Capiltan positively identified him as one of the assailants.

The arrested suspect, instead, pointed to two other men as the possible assailants.