By RUBY P. SILUBRICO
NEW LUCENA, Iloilo — For allegedly robbing and trying to kill the driver of a Super Buenas taxi, four men ended up “super malas” on Thursday evening here.
The suspects were Jerry Aguilar, 24, and his younger brother, Christian, 15, both of Brgy. Cabantog, Janiuay; and Joven Latoza, 20, of Brgy. Esperanza, Janiuay, and his cousin, Ernie Latoza, 18, of Brgy. Bolong Este, Sta. Barbara.
They allegedly robbed and tried to kill Rino Malopay, 24, of Brgy. Bagacay, Pototan, driver of Super Buenas taxi with plate number FWZ-921.
Insp. Remias Pamplona, New Lucena police chief, the suspects flagged down the driver in Pavia and told him to take them to this town.
Upon reaching New Lucena, the suspects told the driver to go back to Sta. Barbara to fetch another companion.
Upon reaching Brgy. Baclayan, they declared a holdup.
Malopay stopped the cab and quickly stepped outside.
One of the suspects shot him but missed and shattered the windshield instead.
The other suspects then jumped off from the taxi and fled but were arrested and jailed in a follow-up operation by the police and barangay tanods.
Police recovered from the four suspects homemade guns and a knife.
The driver claimed that his P3,000 collection was missing.
Pamplona said Joven Latoza was confined in a hospital with a wound in his left thigh inflicted by the gun of a barangay tanod when he tried to elude arrest.
Police recovered P1,900 from the possession of Ernie Latoza.
The suspects will be facing illegal possession of unlicensed gun, frustrated homicide and robbery./PN
