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Theft is always a problem anywhere in the world, but something happened to a friend of mine that I want to share in hopes that it never happens to you.
My friend was in Cebu City getting a loan. Thieves watch these places because they know people walk out with money. In this case, my friend was wearing a gold necklace and medal worth about P20,000. As he left the lender, he was surrounded by a gang of thieves but he managed to run into a mall. The thieves waited for him, and hours later when he left the mall he was again surrounded and threatened with a knife. Wisdom prevailed and he surrendered the necklace. The thief was seen leaving the area in a jeepney.
For my friend, a retired filipino cop, this was a great loss. P20,000 is a great amount in the Philippines, about US$450. And he was humiliated and endangered. He is now sadder but wiser, and will not be replacing the necklace.
It is never prudent to display items of value, whether jewelry, watches, cellphones, or laptops in the big cities of the world. Nor is is wise to display a large amount of cash. When you walk or take a bus or jeepney, be alert and aware of your surroundings, don't walk at night, and don't wander about drunk. Thieves and pickpockets are around, and they are skillful and ruthless.
When I travel, I make a point of dressing down, of never wearing jewelry or a watch, of seldom using a cell phone on the sidewalk, and I keep a dummy wallet for the pickpockets. Serious money is in a money belt or the bank.
I hope people are not offended by this warning. Most people in the Philippines are honest, decent folks who work hard for their daily rice. But the few thieves in the big cities are professional, brutal, and quick. Don't be an easy victim.
My friend was in Cebu City getting a loan. Thieves watch these places because they know people walk out with money. In this case, my friend was wearing a gold necklace and medal worth about P20,000. As he left the lender, he was surrounded by a gang of thieves but he managed to run into a mall. The thieves waited for him, and hours later when he left the mall he was again surrounded and threatened with a knife. Wisdom prevailed and he surrendered the necklace. The thief was seen leaving the area in a jeepney.
For my friend, a retired filipino cop, this was a great loss. P20,000 is a great amount in the Philippines, about US$450. And he was humiliated and endangered. He is now sadder but wiser, and will not be replacing the necklace.
It is never prudent to display items of value, whether jewelry, watches, cellphones, or laptops in the big cities of the world. Nor is is wise to display a large amount of cash. When you walk or take a bus or jeepney, be alert and aware of your surroundings, don't walk at night, and don't wander about drunk. Thieves and pickpockets are around, and they are skillful and ruthless.
When I travel, I make a point of dressing down, of never wearing jewelry or a watch, of seldom using a cell phone on the sidewalk, and I keep a dummy wallet for the pickpockets. Serious money is in a money belt or the bank.
I hope people are not offended by this warning. Most people in the Philippines are honest, decent folks who work hard for their daily rice. But the few thieves in the big cities are professional, brutal, and quick. Don't be an easy victim.
