FX robbery begins ‘at drop of a hat’

The robberies targeting passengers of FX or AUV taxis were literally carried out “at the drop of a hat,” according to a member of the gang who has offered to turn state witness.

“If the driver [who is also a member of the gang] takes off his hat and places it on the dashboard of the vehicle, it means it’s time to declare a holdup,” Almario “Allan” Rentillosa told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Wednesday.

He said it was Ritchie Cahinta, the leader of the group, who came up with the idea.

Rentillosa and Cahinta were among the 10 suspected members of the gang arrested by the Parañaque police on Oct. 6.

Authorities said the group was behind several heists involving FX or AUV taxis in several parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Seized from the gang were two “colorum” (unregistered) vehicles which they also used in their illegal activities.

According to NBI Director Nonato Rojas, the bureau has taken into custody Rentillosa who has offered to testify against his gang mates.

Rojas said Rentillosa has promised to cooperate with the NBI in its investigation of the killing of Alister Quintos, an aide of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

In exchange for Rentillosa’s testimony, the NBI will recommend his inclusion in the WPP should he turn out to be the least guilty among the robbery gang members, he added.

Rolando Argabioso, head of the NBI Special Task Force, said that Rentillosa had pointed to Cahinta as the one who shot and killed Quintos on May 10.

Based on the information gathered by the police, Quintos was on his way home to Antipolo City when he boarded by chance a colorum AUV taxi operated by the group on Marcos Highway.

He was shot and killed inside the van when he drew his firearm and shot one of the gang members. His body was found the following day beside a road in San Ildefonso, Bulacan province.

“[Cahinta] went to the back of the AUV and shot Quintos in the head after he wounded one of us,” Rentillosa said.

He tagged three other members of the group in Quintos’ killing, only one of whom remain at large.