Do you feel safe?

I don’t. Especially not after reading about the gruesome killings of Venzon Evangelista, Emerson Lozano, and Ernane Sensil. The Philippine National Police can show all the statistics saying crime – particularly carnappings – is going down, but when one reads about murdered and burnt victims, coupled with closer-to-home anecdotes of friends or acquantances losing their cars or having their vehicles broken into, it makes you wonder if YOU could be the next victim any time you step out onto the streets.

Would you believe even a recreational activity such as bicycling has also become prey to robbers? Last week, cycling forums and Facebook were abuzz with reports of a lone cyclist being held up inside BF Homes and stabbed with an icepick for good measure. Safer to ride in packs, you say? Think again. Just a few days later more than a dozen mountainbikers in Cavite were held up inside a trail by armed men who then drove off with six of their expensive bikes, cash, and cellphones.

Moments like these inevitably lead to debate on whether it’s better to be armed or not. I’m still undecided on the matter. I’ll admit to a fascination with firearms as much as the average male, and I enjoy shooting with gun-owning friends whenever I can, but I don’t own one myself. There’s just something about having a loaded weapon in a house with an over-inquisitive son that just brings up nightmare scenarios in my head.

And while it’s true that that there have been cases when armed citizens have successfully fought back would-be carjackers, who’s to say it could also work for me if – God forbid – I fall victim to a syndicate with more bullets and skill?

Not that I work in a particularly risky profession, mind you. It’s just that anyone can be the next victim now.

While you might also be now debating whether or not to go through the bureacratic hassles, risks, costs, and responsibilities of gun ownership, there are still some ways to help prevent you getting in a sticky situation in the first place. Most of these measures are things I’ve practiced for as long as I’ve been driving, but some are a bit new considering the modus operandi of the so-called bundol-bundol gangs.

Park in a well-lighted and guarded area. – While it’s true that a parking lot with a lone security guard is still prey to carnappers and break-in thieves, it’s still a deterrent to thieves who’d rather go for easier prey on unguarded streets.

Do a quick walk-around of your car before entering. – Be suspicious of anyone loitering near your car when you approach. Make eye contact. If they studiously avoid your look, then something must be fishy.

Lock the doors right away. – In the few seconds it takes to strap in your seatbelt, adjust the A/C, fiddle with the stereo or whatever routine that you have once you sit down, a carjacker can easily open a door and get in.

Keep the windows closed at all times. – If you’re a smoker, it wouldn’t be a good idea to be puffing away any time your car is stationary.

Bumped from behind? Do not immediately step out of your car. – The gut reaction is to get out and assess the damage. Instead, check your rearview mirror and try to make out the face of the driver behind you. Is the vehicle darkly tinted? Is the driver not looking particuarly alarmed? Is there a passenger? Be conscious of your surroundings. If there are few (if any witnesses) and little traffic, what are the chances this is just a careless bump and not the precursor to a carjacking? If something just doesn’t feel right, drive away. A single body panel repair is a lot cheaper than losing an entire car. If you do decide to stop and take your chances with the offending party, send out a text message first to your family telling them of your situation (time, place, and plate number of the other vehicle).

Be suspicious of broken-down vehicles and roadside emergencies. – We all know the parable of the Good Samaritan. Unfortunately, so do criminals who think nothing of taking advantage of kind-hearted souls. Instead of stopping to assist, keep driving and call the proper authorities of the situation that you witnessed so they can render the proper assistance. Hotline numbers are 117 (Philippine National Police), 02-35000 (NLEX), 02-3262246 (SCTEX), 02-8241924 (SLEX).

Avoid driving at night or on side streets as much as possible. – If you work night shifts, at least take the well-lighted routes to and from your place of work. Don’t loiter at curbs or anywhere else where a carjacker can easily approach you.

Pay attention! – If you’ve never paid attention to what’s going on in your rearview mirror, now might be a good time to notice if a particular vehicle has been lingering behind you for far too long.

Give it up – If a carjacker points a weapon at you, be calm and turn over the key. If it’s just the car that he wants, then so be it.

Act Decisively – What if it’s not just the car that’s at stake? If alarm bells go off in your head that the robbers are not about to let you go, let me end with something that was drilled into me years ago in self-defense classes: fight for your life, because by then you have nothing left to lose.

Welcome to the Philippines.

Here are a couple of the varying Backseat Driver reactions on Manny de los Reyes’ “I bought a new Porsche” from last week…

Had P-Noy been that President who would have succeeded in meeting at least 50% of the people’s expectations, then probably (just probably) this would not be an issue. A fast car is SYNONYMOUS with a President who is characterized as a hard working, efficient and objectives-driven individual. Instead, he is living up to be the clueless and lost “boy” one columnist has predicted him to be. No... his management style is not even a fraction of the performance of that German engineered car that every car enthusiast dreams about owning or even given an opportunity to drive... And by the way, this is not an entry level Porsche. It’s a mid-tier variant as gathered. – my2centsworth

Regardless of his performance as president, it’s his money. And last I checked, this is a free country. He wasn’t even showing off the car! Let the man enjoy his money and enjoy his car. A president is entitled to “me time” as well. As for P-Noy not doing a “good” job. Well... haters are going to hate! And no, I did not vote for P-Noy either. – GT5Kampyon

And one reaction to last week’s lead story, “Discreet Luxury” which we’d like to address…

Vehicle articles that do not post fuel mileage almost always mean that the vehicle is a gas guzzler. This Audi A8 is just about as economic to drive as the 1980 Toyota Corona. Which means it is at par with the fuel efficiency of a semi-luxury japanese car that was made 30 years ago. – robbietan (Dear reader, in case we weren’t able to make it clear, the article on the A8 was a sneak peek, not a test drive or review article. As such, we justifiably cannot make claims on driving impressions or fuel consumption numbers. When we do get to test drive the car, you Philippine STAR readers will be the first to find out about the new Audi A8’s fuel efficiency numbers.)