Police monitor returnof ‘budol-budol’ gang

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is now keeping an eye on the reported resurgence of 'budol-budol' gang victimizing unsuspecting individuals in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

The police warned the public to be vigilant and watch out for this modus.

"Mura’g ma hypnotized no...dili mo magpadala ani, kung naay mu approach ninyo, i-report dayon ninyo sa kapulisan aron ma askyonan," said CCPO deputy director for operations Wilbert Parilla.

On Tuesday, a woman reported that she was allegedly “hypnotized” by two female suspects into giving up her bag containing cash and other personal belongings while walking along Colon Street.

Parilla identified the victim as Charisse Pelicano Delos Reyes, 29, a resident of Sudlon in Mandaue City.

Parilla said the ‘modus’ is not new to them since they have been receiving similar reports the previous years.

"Yesterday duna tay na report nga budol-budol so dili na ni bag-o sa atoa, nibalik na sad ni sila ron, so the same modus lang gihapon ang ilang gibuhat, nga kung duna na na silay makita nga biktimahunon, naa dayo'y muduol and then magpatabang nga magpangita og asa makapalit," said Parilla.

The accomplice would then come pretending to help but the purpose is to make sure the victim falls into the trap.

The victim would then be persuaded to hand over her belongings to one of the members of the gang. To further convince the victim, the suspects would then show the victim a huge amount of money as guarantee that her belongings will be returned afterwards. 

The victim would be asked to take custody of the money, which is actually just a wad of papers. Parilla said the group responsible in victimizing de los Reyes could be the same operating in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

"So akong gi-advice-san ang IOC (Officer-in-charge) to coordinate with Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and Mandaue para mapakita sa biktima kung mahinumdoman pa ba niya ang mga nawong kay daghan na og insidente before nga daghang mga ing-ani na budol,"said Parilla.

According to Parilla, the description of the suspects matched with those who were previously arrested but are currently out on bail.

Parilla said these people disappeared when the pandemic started but has resurfaced now that the economic activities are opening up. — FPL (FREEMAN)