Japanese loses valuables to robbers

CEBU, Philippines - A Japanese national lost almost P100,000 worth of valuables Friday afternoon to two unidentified robbers along Esca-rio Street in Cebu City.

Shinjiro Shinkai, 25, was waiting for a ride when the motorcycle-riding robbers armed with a knife robbed him of his laptop worth P43,000, sunglasses, cellphone and other valuables worth P40,000.

The victim said the robbers were wearing black hood to hide their faces. Members of the tourist police are still investigating the incident to identify the culprits.

Meanwhile, an American national also reported to the police after losing his phone, iPad, and ca-mera to a woman who allegedly asked him for help.

Steven Richard, 47, said he met the woman Thursday along Colon Street and asked him for a place to stay. Richard said he offered the woman, who was later identified as May Tapang, 33, of Alaska Mambaling, to stay for the night in his hotel room.

Richard said he was surprised to wake up alone on Friday. The woman was already gone so with his cellphone, iPad, and digital camera.

Members of the tourist police, however, were able to trace and arrest the suspect at her residence.

Upon knowing the identity of the suspect Tourist Police conducted a follow-up operation at the suspect’s residence. Except for the victim’s cellphone, the other items were no longer recovered. The suspect is now detained and will be charged with theft.  (FREEMAN)