MANILA, Aug. 26 – A multi-awarded officer of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has advised commuters in Metro Manila to be careful in riding taxicabs, especially during the rush hours, to avoid being victimized by unscrupulous drivers.

Medina said that based on their records, among the reputable taxi companies plying Metro Manila are R&E, MGE, Nine Stars, Sturdy, EMP, Efe, Dollar, Avis, Bulaklak, ABC and Ortega. He said commuters should jot down the taxicab’s name as well as the body and plate number after boarding, lock the doors, be alert and watch the movement of the driver, especially his eyes, at the back mirror. 

“Time and again, we have warned taxi riders to take necessary precautions to avoid being victimized by some cab drivers who rob their passengers,” Medina said. “Passengers should see to it that the doors of the taxi are locked. They must also take notice of the taxi’s color, name and license plates," he stressed. 

Medina cited several instances wherein unsuspecting passengers have been victimized by taxi drivers who turned out to be robbers. He said some cab drivers are members of the so-called "Ipit" (sandwich) taxi gang whose modus operandi starts when the driver stops the cab to check a make-believe mechanical trouble.

Later, he would be joined by his armed cohorts who would “sandwich” and rob the victim. There are also cases wherein the driver’s accomplice would hide at the back compartment and would just wait for a pre-arranged signal to come out of his hiding place to stage the heist. “These safety tips can save a prospective victim’s life and valuables in the future,” Medina said.

He urged victims of taxi holdups to immediately report the incident to the police. Last June 2009, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Supt. Roberto L. Rosales congratulated members of the QCPD Station 3-Bahay Toro PCP led by Medina for solving a major taxi holdup in Project 8. Those commended, together with Medina, were Insp. Marvin M. Mesina, PO3 Harry S.

Budomo and PO2s Yusop N. Hadani, Gilbert S. Fuentes and Noel D. Galeno as well as three village watchmen of Barangay Sangandaan. The victim, Maria Kathleen S. Manlangit, a 22-year-old computer programmer from Valenzuela City, hailed a taxicab with plate number TXE-794 in front of the HBC Store along Mindanao Avenue in Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Q.C. at past 4 p.m. and asked the driver to bring her to Makati City. Manlangit agreed when the driver told her they would take a shortcut.

However, she got suspicious when she noticed that they were just circling the area. When they reached the vicinity of GSIS Village in Barangay Sangandaan, about two kilometers away from Talipapa, the driver, identified later as Ricky S. Pablo, alighted and robbed the victim of her 3G i-phone worth P44,000, a Samsung cell phone worth P7,000 and assorted perfumes worth P5,000. 

The suspect later forced the passenger out of his taxi and sped away. Unknown to him, the victim shouted for help, prompting a Good Samaritan to notify the QCPD Station 3 of the incident. The QCPD Station 3 personnel arrested the suspect in the vicinity of GSIS Village in Barangay Sangandaan. Rosales commended the QCPD operatives and their commander, Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., after learning that the suspect was quickly arrested and Manlangit’s 3G i-phone and Samsung cell phone were recovered. 

Pablo was charged with robbery-holdup and was locked-up at the Q.C. Jail with a P100,000 recommended bail. 

RISING FROM THE RANKS 

Medina has risen from the ranks, doing it in a painstaking way marked with utmost dedication to duty and public service, integrity and professionalism that have earned for him an “outstanding record of achievements” as a police officer. 

During his 26 years of service so far in the Philippine National Police (PNP), Medina has received 60 various kinds of medals and badges, including on heroism, wounded efficiency and merit, and over 180 other awards such as certificates of recognition, citations and letters of commendation. 

He has been twice recipient of an outstanding policeman award in the national category — first when he was chosen one of the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) in 2002, and the second in 2003 when he was picked as one of the Ten Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines (TOPP). 

Both awards were presented personally to him, together with the other recipients, by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during ceremonies held in Malacanang. With such an outstanding record, Medina, who joined the police force as a beat patrolman in 1983, can very well be considered as best exemplifying the image of "Mama at Aling Pulis" as guardian of the peace and at the same time giving meaning and credence to the PNP hierarchy's transformation advocacy. 

Medina is actually one of the four officers from QCPD who have been recipients of the COPS awards sponsored annually by the Metrobank Foundation (MBF), Rotary Club of New Manila East and Philippine Jaycees Inc. (PJI). 

The others are all graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), namely QCPD Station 3 head (Talipapa, Novaliches) Sr. Supt. Alex Sintin (2003), Sr. Supt. Bernabe Balba (2006) and Sr. Supt. Alfred Corpus (2005). 

Balba is now assigned at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City while Corpus is now with the Police Regional Office (PRO)-4 in Cavite. The multi-awarded police officer is fondly called “Tata Rey” by colleagues because of his exploits and numerous commendations. (PNA Feature)DCT/scs/JCA