A 22-YEAR-OLD college student who worked part-time as a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver was arrested on Thursday, March 13, 2025, for allegedly robbing and raping a 21-year-old female therapist at South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City.
Police identified the suspect as Jeff Nathaniel Manto, 22, a resident of Burgos St., Barangay Poblacion, Talisay City.
According to the victim, known by the alias Fe, she booked a ride through a ride-hailing app at around 3 a.m. to go home from F. Cabahug St., Barangay Kasambagan.
Since the ride was taking too long to arrive, she canceled the booking.
A habal-habal driver then stopped in front of her and offered a ride. Before getting on the motorcycle, she took a picture of the Yamaha Aerox with plate number G419AK as a precaution.
While on the way, the driver allegedly stopped at a bridge at the SRP near Mambaling, saying he needed to urinate.
The suspect then declared a robbery, threatened the victim with a screwdriver, and warned that he would kill her if she resisted.
The suspect took the victim’s cellphone, valued at P20,000, and P2,500 in cash. He then took her to a dark area and raped her.
The suspect fled, leaving the victim at the scene. The victim sought help from passing motorists and was brought to the Mambaling Police Station to report the incident.
Police conducted a follow-up operation at around 6 a.m. and traced the motorcycle’s GPS location, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Authorities recovered the victim’s cellphone, the screwdriver used in the crime, and the suspect’s motorcycle, but the cash was not recovered.
The suspect admitted to the crime and said he committed it to pay for his tuition.
Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office, commended the victim for promptly reporting the incident, which led to the suspect’s swift arrest.
Macatangay urged the public, especially women, to remain vigilant when using ride-hailing services and advised passengers to take a photo of the vehicle or motorcycle they are boarding.
The Mambaling Police Station is preparing to file charges of robbery with rape against the suspect. / AYB