CEBU CITY, Philippines — Police here will file formal complaints against the suspect in robbing and stabbing a taxi cab driver last April 14, 2022, in Nivel Hills, Barangay Lahug.
Complaints of Robbery with Frustrated Homicide, violations on Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban will be filed against Aldwin Codera, 35, a resident of Barangay Lahug, on Monday, April 25.
Codera was arrested last April 22 in Barangay Mambaling during a hot pursuit operation, said Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).
According to Macatangay, a tracker team was able to gather an image of the suspect. This image matched one from their e-rogues gallery, wherein the victim, when showed, also positively identified Codera as the perpetrator.
“Ang atoang suspect nadakpan na sa una og carnapping sa station 4 and other series of crimes here in Cebu City,” she added.
(Our suspect was already arrested before for carnapping at station 4 and other series of crimes in Cebu City.)
During the hot pursuit, Macatangay said that the suspect also sustained a gun shot wound to his torso as he allegedly was armed with .45 firearm and attempted to shoot responding officers.
He was then immediately brought to the Cebu City Medical Center for medication.
Quoting what the suspect has claimed in committing the crime, Macatangay said that this was allegedly his only resort to be able to pay his balance on proceeds from selling illegal drugs.
“Naay duha ka individual nga naningil sa halin sa illegal drugs. Di pa niya mabayran kay wa pa syay kwarta. Adto nga time ni board sya ani nga taxi, wa syay laing nahunahunaan, tulison ang taxi driver,” Macatangay said.
(There were two individuals asking for the profit from selling illegal drugs. He couldn’t pay because he had no money. At that time, he boarded a taxi cab and he couldn’t think of any other way but to rob the taxi driver.)
Codera is allegedly a user and a seller of illegal drugs.
The suspect took P4,000 cash from the victim and also took his unit.
Macatangay added that when the investigators talked to the suspect, it was “evident” and “very apparent” that the suspect showed no remorse from the crime he reportedly committed.
Traumatizing
In an interview with the media, the victim, whose name is withheld for safety purposes, said that the incident was very traumatizing for his part.
When asked if he still wanted to go back to his job as a taxi driver when fully recovered, he said it would be difficult for him to do so.
The victim has two daughters, 18 and 11 years old, respectfully.
The victim sustained 12 stab wounds from the incident.
“Na trauma. Kada gabie mahunahuna-an… Murag dili na siguro. nalipay lang gyud ko nga nadakpan siya kay para wa nay lain mahitabo lain,” the victim said.
(I am traumatized. Every night I think about it. I think I won’t drive anymore. I am just happy that he was arrested so that no one else can be victimized by him.)
The victim said he was actually willing to give in to the suspect’s request during the robbery if only he told him first that he had problems with money. He just wanted not to be hurt.
“Giingnan ta ko niya para ihatag lang nako niya diritso ako sakyanan,” he said.
(I told him I was going to give the car to him right away.)
The victim also said that he was able to identify the suspect as he was able to see his face after a mild scuffle inside the taxi unit before it was taken away.
/bmjo
READ MORE:
Robbers stab another taxi driver in Cebu on Maundy Thursday