Wounded cabbie a fugitive – probers

MANILA, Philippines - A taxi driver who claimed he was shot by an unidentified motorist during a traffic altercation along Roxas Boulevard Sunday is actually a fugitive wanted for murder and violating the anti-bouncing check law, according to investigators from the Manila Police District (MPD) and the Makati City police.

Rodolfo Tesorero, who introduced himself to police officers as Tom Regalado, left the hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds at around 5 a.m. Sunday, Senior Police Officer 1 Gerry Rivera told The STAR yesterday.

A source from the MPD said Tesorero is reportedly a member of the Kuratong Baleleng robbery group, but the Makati police refused to confirm the claim.

Rivera said police officers from Makati City coordinated with them yesterday following reports of a wounded taxi driver.

Chief Inspector Alfredo dela Cruz, who heads the Makati police’s investigation branch, said Tesorero may have been shot when he reportedly went to the house of his former partner, Annalyn Nicolas, 27, in Bangkal and tried to convince her to reconcile with him.

When Nicolas refused, Tesorero reportedly fired his gun indiscriminately until a still unidentified person shot him, Dela Cruz said.

Nicolas told police Tesorero is a suspect in the killing of her mother, Rosita, on Dec. 31, 2012 and she filed a murder case against him on Jan. 11.

Investigators said Tesorero may have driven around the metropolis until he abandoned his OM 88 Transport taxi at the corner of United Nations Avenue and M.H. del Pilar street and sought treatment at a nearby hospital.

Hospitals are mandated to report cases involving gunshot and stab wounds, and hospital staff told the MPD about Tesorero’s case, Rivera said.

The Makati police said Tesorero is the subject of an arrest warrant for allegedly violating Batas Pambansa 22, the anti-bouncing checks law.