Taxi driver returns Cuello's missing WBC title belt

Denver Cuello's nightmare has ended; his missing belt has been found and returned. Cab driver Pepito Sumalinog said he brought Cuello's World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title belt to dzBB radio after realizing that it belonged the boxing champ. "[Ang inisip ko] siguro naghahanap ang may-ari nito," he said in an on-air interview with the station. Sumalinog added that he did not immediately recognize Cuello, when the latter and at least three companions boarded his cab at Cubao, Monday night. Sumalinog, a father of two, said he earns about P500 daily. Cuello profusely thanked Sumalinog on-air. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa mahal na Panginoon [na] may taxi driver na pag nakakita ng gamit, sinasauli. Maraming salamat sa inyo Mang Pepito," he said. Together with his companions, Cuello had asked to be brought to the Sta. Lucia East area, but their cabbie Sumalinog did not immediately recognize whom he was. "Nang nalaman ko si Denver [Cuello] pala siya, nakababa na sila. Hindi ako nakaalis agad, di ko rin alam may naiwan," he said. Sumalinog only had a notion that it was Cuello when he heard one of the passengers ask the boxer, "Palagi ka ba nagtsa-champion?" It was only when Sumalinog was near the Philcoa area that he realized the bag had been left behind at the back of the cab. He opted to bring the bag home with him as it was already nearing midnight at the time. The next day, he learned of Cuello's problem on the early TV news. When asked if he thought he should keep the bag since it was Cuello's fault he left it behind, he said, "Hindi." - AMD, GMA News