NO LUCK for a thief who held up a motorcycle ride-hailing driver, because aside from only getting P100, he was also arrested by police in Toledo City around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
The suspect was identified as Rodaive Belleza, 37, a resident of Barangay Langtad, City of Naga, Cebu.
The victim (name withheld for security purposes) said the suspect booked his ride and boarded the motorcycle on Natalio Bacalso Avenue, across South Bus Terminal, Cebu City, requesting to be brought to the tricycle terminal in Tabunok, Talisay.
Upon arriving in Tabunok, the suspect asked to be brought further to Campo 1 in Talisay. But when they reached the destination, instead of disembarking, the suspect declared a robbery and pulled out a firearm.
“Pag abot namo sa Campo 1, diretso siyag ti-on, niingon nga 'sir ayaw na lang pag reklamo, dagan na lang aron di ka mamatay.' Ingon ko ‘ayaw sir,’ mao to nidagan na lang pud ko,” said the victim.
(When we reached Campo 1, he immediately pulled out a gun and said, ‘Sir, don’t complain, just run so you won’t die.’ I told him not to, then I just ran.)
He added that he did not resist out of fear of being shot, especially since the suspect kept pointing the gun at his side.
When they reached Barangay Dumlog, the victim told the robber he did not have money since he was only the second passenger. To prove it, he showed his remaining P100, which the suspect then took.
“Ika duha pa nako siya nga pasahero. Ako siya giingnan, pag naog niya nangayo siyag kwarta, ako giingnan nga P100 ra lagi ni sir. Ana siya, ‘Ambi na lang na,’” said the victim.
(He was my second passenger. When he got off, he asked for money. I told him, ‘Sir, this is all I have -- just P100,’ and he said, ‘Just hand it over.’”)
After the suspect got off, the victim immediately reported the incident to the Toledo police, giving them a description. The officers then quickly acted on.
The police then caught the suspect hiding inside a house in Barangay Talavera.
Toledo City police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Alarcon Jr. said the house the suspect tried to hide in belonged to a retired soldier, which led to his arrest.
Alarcon added that the suspect appeared to be high on illegal drugs when he was apprehended.
Police recovered the firearm used in the robbery and illegal drugs during the search.
The suspect now faces charges of robbery with intimidation, illegal possession of firearms, and possession of illegal drugs, and is currently detained at the Toledo City Police custodial facility. (AYB)