Police arrest one suspect behind taxi driver’s robbery

CEBU, Philippines —  The police have arrested one of the two alleged suspects behind the gruesome robbery in San Fernando town where a taxi driver's tongue was slit on April 12, 2022.

The arrest was conducted Wednesday evening in Maguikay, Mandaue City where the suspect, Alexander Rematado, 30, is residing as identified by the police.

The Talisay City and the San Fernando police said Rematado was first arrested by virtue of his standing warrants or arrest for murder and robbery charges committed in Bohol Province and Carcar City, respectively.

The warrants of arrest were issued by Presiding Judge Jennifer Chaves-Marcos on February 8, 2019 at the Regional Trial Court in Bohol.

However, upon his arrest, the taxi driver, Andres Alfanta, then claimed that Rematado was one of the two suspects behind the robbery.

Police Major Efren Diaz, San Fernando Police Station chief, said Rematado was identified by the victim through their rogue's gallery.

"Then the victim positively identified that person (Rematado)," said Diaz.

Talisay City Police Station chief, Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, said the suspect has first denied the robbery and murder charges against him. However, he later on admitted the charges upon interrogation.

Quoting the suspect, Caballes said, Rematado committed the murder in Bohol when he killed his co-worker whom he alleged had bullied him at work.

"After sa incident, nibalik sya diri…we are checking pa with other stations for further information if ever naa ni siyay identified grupo, so far sa atong available information involved ni siya og mga robbery incidents," said Caballes.

The authorities are preparing the filing of the robbery with physical injury charges against Rematado.

Caballes also said that they are now coordinating with other stations, particularly in Cebu City, to see if the same suspect could be behind the robbery involving taxi drivers in the city.

Yesterday, the victim's family claimed in front of the media that Rematado was one of the suspects behind the robbery.

They, however, said Rematado was not the one who slit the victim's tongue but his cohort.

Police said they are now in the process of identifying the remaining suspect behind the robbery.

In an interview, Rematado denied accusations that he was involved in the incident adding that he was on duty when the robbery happened.

What he admitted was the murder charges slapped against him wherein a warrant was issued.

"Gatrabaho jud ko ana, ga duty ko, di man ko ing-ana ka salbahis," he told the media. — GMR (FREEMAN)