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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

Police warns public against 'dura-dura' modus

Philippines

Police warns public against 'dura-dura' modus

By Dhel Nazario

What if upon going down the bus on your way home, you were suddenly stopped by a passenger behind you telling you there’s vomit or spit stuck in your hair, what would you do?

This is what happened to Monique Sureta who shared on Facebook her experience on March 15 as she had just gone from the hospital to look after her child. She lost her phone to four to five men who told her as she got off the bus at the Golden City Bus Stop that she had vomit or spit in her hair and hand.

Sureta said that the men boarded the bus with her in Pasay Rotonda.

Both surprised and confused, she for a moment let go of the smartphone that she was holding that time and placed it inside an eco-bag she was carrying to wipe the supposed mess. As she was on the sidewalk, she noticed that her phone was missing and that the men had already boarded a jeepney. The incident occurred at 7:50 p.m. according to her.

A similar experience was shared by Riz Cruz to Facebook page Go Cavite which also happened on March 15, but at a different time.

She mentioned that the incident happened between 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. also at the Golden City Bus Stop. Four or five men also stood near her and pulled her hair from behind while another spat on her hand. Nervous, shocked and confused, it took a while before she noticed that her phone was missing.

Pasay Police Chief Cesar Paday-os said that this is the first time he heard of such a scheme
.
He reminded the public to be attentive with their personal belongings and to be cautious with strangers, preferably not to engage in conversations with them.

“Secure properly their gadgets, wallets, watches etc…prevent ostentatious display of their jewellery and gadgets,” he added.

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