Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Over the years, authorities and law enforcement agencies have been combating criminals – whether big-time or petty, tech-savvy or otherwise.
During a press conference this week, Dir. Gen. Ricardo Marquez, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said that he will focus more on tracking down criminals.
He adds that his plan is to reduce crimes by implementing foot patrols and setting up more checkpoints in strategic areas.
“This is an opportune time to focus more in doing the core functions of the police and that is patrolling the streets in our communities to prevent crimes, to make sure that crimes are properly investigated if we failed to prevent them from happening, and to track down and take down most wanted criminals and criminal gangs,” Marquez said.
He appealed to the public to support his campaign against crime and the pursuit to build peaceful communities and neighborhoods.
In 2014, the most common crimes reported to authorities were physical assault, robbery, and theft, according to the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (PNP-DIDM).
The PNP-DIDM also reported an increase in robbery incidents perpetrated by taxi drivers in 2014.
Prevention Is The Key
Prevention is the best protection against crime. With the right information and actions, you can reduce the risk of being a crime victim.
Organized crime has grown more structured and complex, and guileful criminals are utilizing new technologies.
More often than not, these criminals experiment with existing technological toolkits or techniques in order to develop a satisfactory modus operandi – a pattern used by criminals to commit crime – that will give them edge over their intended target.
On its website, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) posted the top 10 most common crimes committed in Metro Manila.
These are:
1. Sneaky Office Intruders: These thieves prey on workplaces with little or no security. They usually attack 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 pass. They target valuables like mobile phones, cash, laptops and credit cards.
2. ATM (automated teller machine) Scams: ATM scammers have become more technology-savvy through the years.
They use magnetic rulers to trap money, surveillance cameras and external keypads to get PINs (personal identification numbers), and scheme machines to read ATM card information.
3. The Zesto Gang: Not as visible anymore as they were years ago, the Zesto Gang members prey on bus passengers through quick tactics of distraction, confusion and intimidation.
A Zesto Gang member comes up to you in a bus, with bills of cash folded lengthwise and wound around the fingers by denomination in typical bus conductor style, and asks: “How many?”
Thinking he is the bus conductor, you say how many people you’d like to pay the fares of, not knowing that the scammer is actually asking how many juice packs you’d like to buy.
4. Airport Ambush: Car thieves trail you from the airport and repeatedly attack your car until you are forced to give it up.
This scheme is usually executed before dawn.
5. Test Drive Threat: Carjackers pose as buyers who will test drive the car you’re selling and later steal it at gunpoint.
6. Condominium Criminals: These thieves invade condominium or apartment units that are left unlocked. Once inside, they ransack the place for valuables.
7. Backstage Burglars: Thieves can easily pose as aides, personal assistant or utility personnel and blend in with the crowd.
These thieves target your laptop, wallet, or your designer bag. Once executed, they quickly leave as if nothing happens.
8. Salisi Gang: Members of this gang lurk anywhere where there are people — malls, restaurants, fast-food joints, computer shops, bars, and clubs — and just waiting for you to get distracted.
9. Dugo-Dugo Gang: This group robs affluent homes by tricking unsuspecting house helpers into helping them get to the homeowners’ cash and valuables.
Dugo-Dugo Gang operates when only the helper is in the house. The scammers call and pretend that a family member has been hurt and needs money.
Then they pressure the helper into forcing open the family safe, locked drawers to get cash and other valuables. The helper is then told to turn over the loot to the gang members.
10. Budol-Budol Gang: Members of this gang can strike anywhere using their alleged powers of hypnotism and counterfeit money.
