City health officer loses gadget to pickpockets

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Health Officer Stella Ygoña was victimized by a group of pickpockets who are now operating inside the department stores in the city.

Ygoña reported the matter to the Waterfront Police Station and said that while she was inside a department store in Colon Street last February 21, the pickpocket stole the city-issued iPad from her bag.

The health officer narrated that she was looking at the bags displayed in the department store where there were also other persons pretending to be customers.

Ygoña did not notice that the pickpocket was able to steal her iPad.

In a related incident, an employee of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) also lost her wallet while inside another department store also in Colon Street.

The court worker lost over P3,000 cash and important cards.

The pickpockets also victimized the wife of a newsman last November 16 and carted away cash amounting to P56,000 placed inside her wallet, but the matter was not reported to the police.

Some persons who are operating businesses beside the department store in Colon Street told The FREEMAN that the pickpockets are so familiar but they just look at them for fear of retaliation.

“Kon manghilabot mi nila sir panimaslan g’yud mi ana nila kay daghan ra ba kana sila. (If we interfere they might retaliate and there are many of them),” said a woman who buys purchase orders (PO) near a certain department store.

She said other members of the gang will be the ones to identify their targets inside the department store and give information to their comrades.

“Kon dili nila makawatan sa sulod, ari inigawas sa tindahan nila sundan kay mahibaw-an man nila asa gibutang ang pitaka. (If they can’t get the items inside the store, they wait for you outside because they already know where you places your wallet),” she added. (FREEMAN)