Police on Saturday warned the public against members of criminal groups expected to go around commercial centers, shopping malls, public conveyances and other crowded areas in Metro Manila as the Christmas season draws near.
Metro Manila police director Oscar Albayalde ordered all district commanders—Central Police District, Northern Police District, Southern Police District, Eastern Police District and Manila Police District—to double their alert status in their respective areas of jurisdiction in anticipation of possible crimes to happen this holiday.
He directed his men to strengthen police visibility and street patrolling.
Even if the cases of robbery and theft in Metro Manila are on its downtrend, Albayalde wants the public to be more observant and alert at all times.
In Manila, shoppers have started visiting the areas of Tutuban and Divisoria to buy gifts and other items for the holiday.
The National Capital Region Police Office urged ordinary citizens to help government prevent criminals to do their thing. It also advised the public to report criminal incidents using their social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter.
Albayalde said crime can happen to anyone at the most unexpected time, and to combat crime, the public must be kept informed of the various modus operandi of criminals.
“While the PNP is fielding additional foot and mobile patrollers, the public must also be wary to what is really happening in their communities and in the streets,” he said.
Just recently, three incidents of thefts were recorded by the Southern Police District in Taguig City. One of the incidents took place in a shopping center in Bonifacio Global City.
SPD spokesperson Jenny Tecson said four individuals were arrested in three separate occasions which happened last Wednesday at the SM Aura Supermarket in BGC; Grace Residences in Barangay Ususan, and St. Michael Subdivision in Barangay San Miguel.
The suspects—Ronnie Cardenas, 36, of Bahay Toro; Jonathan Zambrano, 39, of Rolling Hills, New Manila, and Alexander Fernandez, 23, of Barangay Commonwealth, all in Quezon City, and Jervin Jabonete, 20, of Taguig City—are now detained and were charged with theft before the prosecutors office.
The NCRPO also cautioned people to be aware of the presence of members of Budol-Budol Gang, Condo Criminals, Riles Gang and Sneaky Office Intruders.
Police described the Riles Gang as a group of pickpockets posing as commuters of Metro Railway Transit (MRT–3), LRT (Light Rail Transit 1 and 2), and Philippine National Railways.
These gang members squeezed-in, operate in groups of four or five, shove or push a prospective victim to distract his or her, while their accomplice picks gadgets and wallets inside the trains and terminals.
Budol-Budol Gang can strike anywhere using their alleged powers of hypnotism and “boodle” or counterfeit money. They lure or blackmail their victims into giving valuables or cash in exchange for a bag filled with fake bills or products.
The Sneaky Office Intruders are thieves who prey on workplaces with little or no security, usually during lunch hour or the afternoon break when employees leave their desks. They may take on different disguises like posing as an employee’s friend, visitor, or as a messenger–complete with a Visitor’s ID. They target valuables like mobile phones, cash, laptops and credit cards.
The Condo Criminals are thieves who invade unlocked condominium units, apartment buildings, and townhouse compounds. Once inside, they ransack the place for valuables.
