MANILA, Philippines – The plate number TWC-897 attached to the taxi involved in the botched coed abduction and robbery over the weekend is registered to a passenger jeepney which was linked to various vehicular accidents, based on court documents obtained by the Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

The documents showed that the passenger jeepney owned by a certain Nicolas and Wilma Perez of Pagasa, Quezon City, was involved in a traffic accident in June 2007.

The jeepney’s driver identified in the documents was a certain Regalado Baylon Aldea, 37, of Cattleya Street, Barangay Toro, Quezon City.

Aldea, according to the documents, had been previously indicted by Quezon City Prosecutor Arthur O. Malabaguio for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property with a recommended bail of P3,000 in relation to a traffic accident in 1998.

In the documents, Aldea and the Perez couple admitted responsibility for the traffic accident and promised to pay the damages, but failed to honor the agreement.

Quezon City Police District Director Senior Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula said the police force had been alerted to be on the lookout for any vehicle sporting the plate number.

“Wherever and whatever vehicle the plate number is attached, its driver would be taken in for investigation,” Gatdula said.

He added that operatives of the district’s anti-carnapping unit that patrols the whole city were on the lookout for the plate number.

He also explained that switching of plate numbers on vehicles used in criminal activities is commonly done by perpetrators to mislead investigators.

“It (the scheme) sometimes delayed the investigation, but does not hamper it in anyway,” he assured.

Last Saturday before dawn, Valerie (not her real name), an 18-year-old University of Santo Tomas student, underwent a harrowing experience when she took a KUL taxicab going home.

She came home late after attending a school activity. Upon reaching her home in Sta. Mesa heights, Quezon City, Valerie argued with the taxi driver after the latter refused to give her change for a P1,000 bill she gave for her fare.

When Valerie’s mother tried to ask help from barangay watchmen, the driver sped off with Valerie still inside.

She escaped by jumping off the moving taxi along Retiro Street and sustained multiple cuts and bruises on her chin, knee, face and foot in the process.

The taxi driver is now the subject of a police manhunt ordered by Gatdula.