Following the incident involving her, Taduran said she will file a House resolution seeking to investigate thefts in buildings with guarded parking.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 7) – A lawmaker from the House of Representatives lost more than ₱200,000-worth of belongings after thieves broke into her car in a Quezon City mall’s parking lot on Monday.
Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Rep. Niña Taduran is the latest victim of the “basag-kotse” gang.
The group stole Taduran’s government-issued laptop worth more or less ₱60,000; one iPhone 11 Pro Max with an estimated cost of ₱97,000; one Chanel gold necklace worth around ₱40,000 and one gold pendant worth about ₱5,000, PMaj Bernardo Pascua said in a spot report.
Pascua added the basag-kotse gang also took the legislator’s ATM cards, USD 500 and P5,000, identification cards (IDs) and two cellphone chargers.
According to Taduran, her companions proceeded to the SM City Sta. Mesa in New Manila after dropping her off at the Malacanang for the 2020 budget signing by President Rodrigo Duterte.
When they returned to the car, the vehicle’s window was smashed.
Taduran already lodged a complaint before the police.
In a Facebook post, the ACT-CIS representative urged to the public to be cautious because criminals are everywhere.
“Tayo po ay mag-ingat sa lahat ng oras, sapagkat wala na pong sinisino ang mga masasamang loob. Maging mapagmasid, mapagbantay at maging alisto sa lahat ng oras at sa lahat ng lugar.”
[Translation: Let’s be careful at all times because criminals spare no one. Be aware, careful and alert at all times and places.]
The lawmaker argued that parking establishment owners should be held responsible in case there are crimes committed within their properties.
“Parking establishments should be liable for the losses and damage to vehicles inside their guarded premises,” Taduran said.
The lawmaker then slammed the establishments for failing to secure the premises despite charging costumers fees for a parking space.
“We pay exorbitant fees for parking and yet these establishments can’t provide the assurance that our vehicles will be safe from theft and damage,” Taduran said in a statement on Thursday.
