CEBU, Philippines – A foreigner who claimed to be a high-ranking police official in his native country reported to the police that he was robbed at a bar in uptown Cebu City area on Sunday.
Malaysian national Judy Pereira, 55, reported to Fuente Police Station that he got robbed at Beat Restobar on General Maxilom Avenue, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.
In his declaration, Pereira claimed he is a native of Kuala Lumpur and is temporarily staying in a hotel in Cebu City.
Pereira alleged back in Malaysia, he works as a police superintendent, although Fuente Police Station chief Inspector Wildemar Tiu could not confirm this information yet.
According to police records, Pereira reportedly lost his wallet containing cash worth P10,000, US$200 and 200 Malaysian ringgit. He reportedly lost as well his Malaysian driving license, Malaysian identity card, police officer’s identification card, bank cards and other documents.
Pereira said he lost the wallet while at the bar. The last thing he could remember was him surrounded by girls while he was paying for his drinks at the counter.
The girls allegedly offered him escort service which he declined.
Upon realizing that his wallet was already stolen, Pereira asked for assistance from the personnel of Fuente Police Station who were detailed in the area.
Police were not able to locate the suspect and recover the victim’s wallet.
Tiu said they are careful in verifying complaints from foreign nationals claiming they got robbed.
He said some of the foreigners might be using a supposed robbery incident to be able to avail of their insurance claims.
In 2013, Tiu said, the Japanese Embassy was alarmed after an insurance company complained that there were many Japanese nationals who alleged that they got robbed in the Philippines.
Tiu shared that they caught one foreigner last year who used robbery as an excuse to get his insurance claim, only to be proven later that he was not really robbed.
Tiu was aware that girls in clubs and bars would approach foreigners who are almost or already drunk. Later, some these foreigners then report to their station that they have been robbed.
If the police fail to document these instances and do corrective measures, Tiu said this may stain the image of Cebu City as an ideal tourist destination.
For now, Tiu said they are conducting further investigation to double check the authenticity of Pereira’s allegation of being robbed.