Australian, Briton robbed in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - An Australian and a Briton were victimized by robbers and pickpockets in separate incidents in Manila over the weekend.

Justin Davare, 24, who was billeted at the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati City, told police that he was walking at the corner of Adriatico and Remedios streets in Ermita at around 3 a.m. yesterday when two men on a motorcycle grabbed his shoulder bag containing cash and other valuables.

Davare reported the incident to the Manila Police District (MPD) General Assignment and Investigation Section.

On Saturday night, British national Alan David Knowles, 60, said he was shopping at a mall in Manila when he was victimized by a pickpocket.

Knowles said he lost P20,000 cash and three ATM cards.

Last week, a Singaporean man lost at least P300,000 to a snatcher shortly after he stepped out of a money changer shop along Adriatico street in Manila.

Amritpal Singh said he would never come back to the Philippines and would discourage his friends in Singapore from visiting the country.

A police officer, who asked not to be identified, said robbery cases are on the rise in the area despite enhanced police visibility.

“Robbers and snatchers are victimizing mostly tourists because they are not keen on filing a complaint with the police, thinking that nothing will happen anyway, ” the police officer said.