OFW loses P200T to skimmers

CEBU, Philippines - An Overseas Filipino Worker lost P200,000 of his hard-earned money to automated teller machine (ATM) skimmers.

Eniel Ybañez, 47, of Toledo City, yesterday sought the assistance of Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak, who was also a victim of the same modus, to get back his money.

Ybañez said he discovered it on Saturday after withdrawing P4,000 from the ATM at the South General Hospital to pay for his wife's medical checkup.

  "Kay kung wala pa mi nagpa-checkup aning akong misis, mahurot. Wa naman koy balance-balance inquiry gud kay nagsalig ra bitaw nga naay sulod atong banko," Ybañez said.

According to Ybañez, his last transaction receipt dated November 11 shows that he had a balance of P283,163.77. To his surprise, his bank account only had P78,000 left after he withdrew P4,000 last Saturday.

"Instead nga last nako nga withdraw sa PNB ang nahabilin nako is two hundred eighty-three thousand, one hundred sixty-three pesos and seventy-seven (P283, 163.77) pag-withdraw nakog four thousand pesos (P4,000) atong Sabado ngadto sa BPI ang nahibilin sa akong kwarta is only seventy-eight thousand (P78,000) plus na lang. Naa man gyuy mga resibo nga among gikuptan gud," he said.

Because of what had happened, Ybañez decided to withdraw all his money from the bank. He said it is all that they've got until he can find another job.

Ybañez worked as construction worker for two years in Qatar. He went home last May.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña admitted he is "very alarmed" by the situation. He reminded the public to be vigilant and protect their bank accounts.

He asked the public for a little time to figure out what to do on the problem.

 "You just give me little time, at least we can put up a formal bulletin on what to look out for, but right now I'm not an expert," he said.

Tumulak, chairman of the City Council committee on peace and order, lamented that some banks are uncooperative in the investigation as they refused to provide copies of the security footage of the suspects.

"Luoy kaayo ato ang mga tao karon kay ang suspects naa gihapon ni ron nagtuyok-tuyok sa Cebu City victimizing mga depositors," Tumulak said.

He said he will write the presidents of the banks for them to help in the investigation by providing the city government copies of the footage from the CCTV cameras.

According to Tumulak, banks are classified as high-risk establishments and should be required to install CCTV cameras with at least 640 by 680 pixel recording capabilities.

The police are also reminding the public to be responsible in using their ATMs and credit cards.

Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, Cebu City Police Office director, said the public should be conscious of their surroundings before making any card transaction.

"We are doing our best to secure Cebu City," Doria said. — (FREEMAN)