(File photo)
MANILA – A taxi driver who was linked to the death of two women found in Rizal and Pampanga provinces was arrested by members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
In a news release on Monday, the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIDU) identified the suspect as Mark Anthony Cosio (alias Mac Mac), 41 and a resident of Barangay Talipapa.
He was implicated in the deaths of Edilbertha Gomez, 79, of Barangay Pinyahan, and Maria Cristina Capistrano of Barangay Holy Spirit.
Gomez was reported missing on Jan. 15 by her brother-in-law, Paquito Gonzalez, to the Kamuning Police Station.
The day before, she left home at about 5:30 a.m., supposedly to fetch a relative before going to Manaoag Church in Pangasinan.
Closed-circuit television footage showed she boarded Cosio’s taxi cab, with plate number NBG-1381.
The incident was reported to the CIDU on Jan. 25 and two teams were formed to locate Gomez.
Operatives talked to Cosio’s employer, Manuel Cruz of Ballat and Fe Taxi, which led to the identification of the suspect who was proven to be driving the unit at the time of the incident.
While in custody on Feb. 10, Cosio confessed that when he fetched Gomez, his cohorts, whom he identified as Rolando Picaña (alias Lanlan) and brothers Keith Richard and Jimbo Robosa, tailed them on board a red sedan, until they reached the mountainous part of Marilaque, Tanay, Rizal, where they dumped the body.
The day after the confession, CIDU operatives and the Anti-Kidnapping Group proceeded to the area described by Cosio and found the victim's body.
The suspect likewise admitted responsibility, together with his cohorts, for the death of Capistrano who was reported missing on Jan. 27 and whose cadaver was found in Barangay Laug, Mexico, Pampanga two days later.
Further investigation revealed that Cosio has a standing warrant of arrest issued by a Manila Court for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
On Feb. 2, CIDU also received information, through QC Hotline 122, that Cosio was involved in gunrunning, drug pushing, kidnapping and selling of explosives.
CIDU operatives are conducting a manhunt for Cosio’s co-accused.
“Kayong mga gumawa ng krimen tulad nito ay walang takas sa ating batas. Kahit saang sulok ng lugar kayo pumunta, kaming kapulisan ay hindi titigil sa paghahanap sa inyo (Those of you who commit crimes like this will not be able to escape the law. The police will continue hunting you down),” Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, QCPD chief, said in a statement. (PNA)
