Taxi driver in Cebu loses nearly half of his tongue after encounter with hold-uppers

A taxi driver from City of Naga, Cebu lost a third of his tongue after picking up two passengers who turned out to be hold-uppers.

According to an episode of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” the driver, Andres Alfanta, used to chat a lot with his passengers and liked listening to music.

He would never be the same again, however, after he fell victim to a pair of hold-uppers, who posed as passengers from Cebu City.

“Pinapili nila ako. Babarilin ba ako o puputulan ng dila? Pinili ko na lang ipaputol ‘yung dila ko kasi baka mamatay ako. Maliit pa ang mga anak ko tapos kapapanganak lang ng asawa ko,” he recalled.

(“They made me choose. Would I rather be shot or have my tongue cut off? I chose to have my tongue cut because I could die [from getting shot]. My children are still young and my wife just gave birth.”)

“Sinakal ako para lumabas ang dila ko. Nung lumabas na ang dila ko, bigla nilang hiniwa. Nang tumalsik na ang dugo, bumaba na sila at umalis,” he continued.

(“They choked me so my tongue would come out. When my tongue was finally out, they suddenly cut it. They disembarked and left afterwards.”)

At home, Andres’ wife, Maria, sensed that something was wrong.

“Hindi ko maintindihan ‘yung kaba sa dibdib ko. Sabi ko, tawagan ko kaya ‘to? Ayun pala talaga tama pala ang kutob ko na hinold-up pala,” she said.

(“I couldn’t understand it, but I felt so nervous. I thought of calling him. As it turned out, my hunch was right. He was held up.”)

Since the incident, Andres could no longer speak clearly and had a difficult time eating. To help him, Maria uses a blender to process the rice, dish, and fruits which Andres sips with a straw.

Andres reported the incident to the police. He had seen a small tattoo peeking out from the shirt of one of the suspects and relayed it to authorities.

The police later caught one of the suspects. Andres and Maria were then asked to go to Talisay City Philippine National Police to confirm his identity.
Andres was positive that the man was one of the hold-uppers who cut his tongue because of the tattoo. However, the suspect denied his involvement.

“Kung puwede lang tumestigo ‘yung Diyos sir. Ang nagawa ko dati nakabaril ako. Inamin ko na ‘yon pero iyan sir hindi ko talaga maamin ‘yan,” he said. “Kung tattoo lang ang basehan sir, ngayon sa komunidad natin, normal na po ‘yung tattoo.”

(“If God could only testify. I shot someone before. I admitted to that but I cannot admit to this. If the tattoo was the only basis, tattoos are normal in our community.”)

Police said, however, that the suspect has an existing warrant for robbery in Carcar City. The suspect is also among the Top 8 Most Wanted at the provincial level and Top 4 at Tagbilaran City. He has a warrant in Bohol as well for murder.

With the arrest, a case has been filed against the suspect for robbery with serious physical injury.

Meanwhile, Andres is now focusing on his recovery so he can provide for his family. According to a doctor, Andres has to undergo speech therapy.

“Humihingi po ako ng tulong para sa aking mga anak,” he said.

(“I am asking for help for my children.”)

The local government gave some groceries and financial assistance to Andres’ family. They also promised to help him find a job.

“Malaking tulong na ho ‘yan para sa amin kasi hindi na siya makapag-drive nang ilang buwan,” Maria said. “Sana po kung sino man ‘yung may mabubuting loob po na tumulong sa amin, kahit konti man lang po. Kumakatok po ako sa kanila.”

(“It’s a big help to us because he could not drive for a few months. I hope you can help us.”)

For those who wish to help, you may send your donations to:

BRANCH: UNION BANK LIPATA-CEBU BRANCH
NAME: LOVELY S. ALPANTA
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 109426063352

—MGP, GMA News