3 robbers nabbed after taxi heist

By Elizabeth Cedo

BAGUIO CITY – It wasn’t the lucky day of two alleged robbers after they were arrested here Wednesday at about 7:45 a.m. after victimizing a taxi driver who has just started off for another busy day.

Taxi driver Charlie E. Ballesteros, 42, resident of San Carlos Heights here was traversing Chanum St. when he was flagged down by the suspects.

The suspects who pretended to be passengers were identified as Noel A. Gao-ay, 20; Norbert B. Palangdao, 18 and a 17-year-old cohort, requested the driver to transport them to Crystal Cave, Bakakeng Central.

Upon reaching the waiting shed near the turning point, the suspects announced the heist and demanded Ballesteros to give his earnings to them.

The victim told police Gao-ay poked a bolo on his neck while Palangdao divested his earnings inside the drawer amounting to P4, 000. The suspects then ran away from the site.

The victim immediately sought the assistance of Police Station 10 personnel who responded immediately resulting to the arrest of the suspects.

Gao-ay and Palangdao are now detained at Baguio City Jail while the minor suspect was turned over to the city Department of Social Works and Development on order of inquest prosecutor Bryan Sagsago.