3 men arrested after slashing taxi driver's throat in Manila
Police line (File photo)
Three men were arrested after one of them allegedly slashed the throat of a taxi driver during a trip along Ayala Boulevard, corner San Marcelino Street in Ermita, Manila.
According to an initial investigation by the Manila Police District–Ermita Police Station (PS-5), the suspects boarded the taxi at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 and asked to be taken to Sta. Mesa, Manila.
When the taxi reached the intersection of Ayala Boulevard and San Marcelino Street, one of the passengers reportedly told the driver he needed to stop so he could urinate.
However, instead of getting out of the vehicle, the man allegedly attacked the driver and slashed his throat using a chisel.
Police said the suspects had begun arguing over the fare shortly before the assault.
The driver overheard them quarrel and was suddenly attacked by one of the passengers.
Despite his injuries, the driver managed to fight back and seek help from personnel of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) and the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU).
Responding officers arrested one of the suspects at the scene, while the other two fled.
The wounded driver was taken to the Philippine General Hospital for treatment.
The first arrested suspect was brought to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for medical attention before being transferred to the Ermita Police Station for questioning.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the remaining two suspects later that night, one in Mandaluyong City and the other, the alleged attacker, in Quezon City.
Police reported that nothing was stolen from the victim and that the incident appeared to have stemmed from a dispute over the taxi fare rather than robbery or drug-related motives.
The suspects claimed that the attack was unplanned and that they were shocked by their companion’s actions.
They added they had been job-hunting earlier that day and were exhausted and hungry when they decided to take a taxi.
The man who allegedly slashed the driver’s throat admitted to the assault but claimed he had no intention to harm the victim, saying he acted impulsively due to stress, fatigue, and hunger.
The taxi driver was discharged from the hospital two days after the incident.
All three suspects are now facing charges of frustrated murder.