Objective: To inform people of one of the on-going strategies of theft on the streets.
Place of Crime: Inside a bus (Igan).
Route: Southmall/Casimiro/Moonwalk
Time of Incident: 8:40-9:30 PM
Where the bus is when it happened: Roxas Blvd. cor. MIA road.
Brief Story:
It was last Saturday night. I just left church (service ends at 8pm) and as usual, my boyfriend accompanied me at the bus stop. I was supposed to ride an Erjohn or San Agustin, but Ian forbid me to go to Cavite (since it's getting late) so I decided to stay at my auntie's condo (where I stay when in Manila), which is just near Coastal Mall.
So I alighted an Igan bus, a bus like this:
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| Not the actual bus. Just a sample. Iam not saying that Igan buses are accomplices, it just so happened that it is where it happened. |
Minutes before the unfortunate circumstance:
I know that texting inside public utility vehicles, especially in a jeep is a no-no. However, while inside a fx or bus, I feel comfortable enough to text/use my phone. I texted some people that time and must admit that the cell was really exposed to people sitting in proximity to me that time. The one sitting beside me look like a college student, and like me, he was also texting.
I was using a medium-sized Adidas backpack that time, filled with personal belongings like clothes, camera, water jug, etc. since we had our choir's Sportsfest early that day. I even had a badminton racket with me. When I'm about to descend, I carelessly put my phone (an old model of Ericsson Walkman series) in the front pocket of the backpack. I used to just hold it but since I'm holding a racket that time, I decided to put it in the bag. I make sure that all of the zippers are closed. The backpack was heavy and I'm still in the bus, so I carried the bag in the proper way backpacks should be carried, with the front pocket at my far back.
The Modus operandi:
And so I shouted "Sa tabi lang po, Para!/ Please stop, I'm going to descend now" I left my seat and headed towards the bus door. When I was about to go to the steps, a man, who is seated behind the bus driver suddenly blocked my way. He remained in his seat but his upper body and left leg is on my way, 'cos he seemed to be looking for something at the front of the bus (I don't know what, probably none, since he was just acting, I realized hours later). I felt that there was a slight pressure on my back (the feeling that you get when you know there's someone on your back, close enough to touch you) but having feelings like that is just normal when you are standing in the bus, especially when there are other people who wants to go out also) so I just ignored.
It took me three times to say "Excuse me", I uttered the last one with annoyance due to the oddness of the situation; I kept on telling him to let me pass but it's like he's not paying attention or hearing anything at all (It was intentional, so that there'll be more time for his accomplice to get my things, I realized too late). Finally, when he let me pass, I immediately went out, walked some steps and ran to the other side of the highway, where the condo is. It's less than a minute after I went out the bus. I already reached the other side, and it's in the condo lobby when I saw that my bag is already open.:(
Their Loot:
-cell phone
-unused black sock (left the other piece)
-grocery list
I still thank God because:
-they were not able to get my silver bracelet which is the first Christmas gift I ever received from Ian (it is also where the phone is).
-they were not able to open the larger compartment of the bag ( the camera is there, with my wallet and other valuables)..or maybe they are just really targeting the phone. hay. it's not even touchscreen!
-none of my things dropped from my bag though the pocket was open and I ran in the highway.
-despite of it, I was safe.
Points that I learned:
-Don't be too comfortable even in places that you think is safe enough. It is still outside your house so stay alert.
-It is always wise to be vigilant. 'Di bale ng praning kaysa nananakawan ka ng gamit/It is better to be paranoid than to be stolen from.;p
-Don't compromise on safety measures when commuting.
*I've always known that when you're using a backpack and there are valuable items inside, you should wear it on the opposite manner, with the bag at your front. I didn't do it since my bag was heavy..I should have done something like this instead:
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| Just support your bag if it's heavy but don't wear it on your back. Better yet, divide your things and put the valuables in a smaller bag so that you can put it within your site and secure it. |
-Not all people will help. Minutes after what happened I asked myself: "Wala man lang 'ba nakakita?/Doesn't anyone saw it?" The answer will be not known to me anymore but if ever there was, he/she definitely didn't help. So if you are commuting alone, don't rely at anybody but yourself to protect you.
Other areas I know where theft is rampant:
via Jeepney
Route: Divisoria-Buendia, about 4 PM
-I came from Divi and was riding the jeep when there occurred a traffic at Manila City hall area and a man inside the jeep suddenly snatched an old woman's seemingly gold necklace (sitting inside also) and ran off the vehicle. It was fortunate that the woman's neck didn't hurt that much.
Route: San Andres Bukid, about 8 PM
-I rode the jeep together with Ian and Queenie, my cousin who is still young that time. Several middle-aged men also rode the jeep with us, about 5 of them. Based on what I remember, two of them seated beside Ian, another beside me and Queenie is sandwiched between the two of us. The remaining men seated opposite to us. We were talking and playing with my cousin and minutes later, all of the men suddenly descended and when Ian reached for his pocket, his phone was not there anymore.
Route: Buendia from Recto, about 3 PM
-My sister bought something at Recto and she was with another student she didn't know inside the jeep, about to go home when two men with ice peaks alighted and declared a hold-up. The criminals asked for their phones, my sister immediately gave hers but the other said he has none. The man stabbed him at his side with the ice peak before they ran off. There was blood spill and an ambulance came to rescue. My sis was a bit traumatized due to horrible experience.
Route: MCU, about 12 AM
-This was a very unfortunate theft incident that happened with Ian's brother just a week ago. To make the long story short, There were just two of them and the jeepney driver inside when a group of men also rode the jeep and declared a hold-up minutes later after the jeep changed its route. The criminals had something on their backs, something pointed (not sure if gun) and they took all of their belongings, their whole bags. They even forced them to withdraw all the money in their ATM account. Talk about being demanding.:(
I hate to say this but it's better to be realistic than to deny it.
When in the Philippines, and commuting,
Be extra careful.:)
