Rob-prone areas scarier than haunted houses

MANILA, Philippines - There are no ghosts, white ladies, witches or monsters to haunt people at night, but some places in southern Metro Manila are scarier than haunted houses. That is because robbers attack even in broad daylight.

Dark and dingy, the EDSA extension in Pasay City has the highest number of robbery cases in Metro south, figures provided by the Southern Police District (SPD) showed.

About 132 incidents were reported from January to September this year, higher than the 125 cases recorded last year.

SPD director Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona said criminals take advantage of the density of commuters, especially at night when the long alleys in the area are dark.

A reminder at a church in Malate says: “Please do not leave your belongings unattended. Someone might think it is the answer to their prayers.”

This should also serve as a reminder for people who hear Mass at the Mother of Perpetual Help Church along Redemptorist Road or what is commonly called Baclaran church.

Statistics from SPD show that robberies occur in front of or inside the church.

Estipona said some incidents occur while the victims are praying.

“Thieves blend with the crowd by pretending they are parishioners, too,” he said.

Estipona advised the public to be vigilant when going to these places. “Be mindful of your belongings, do not display your money or jewelry,” he said.

Dusty place

Metro south, particularly along EDSA and Taft Avenue, is one of the dustiest places in Metro Manila, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The DENR said the busy intersection has a high amount of total suspended particulates (TSP), which measures dust and soot found in the air.

In 2011, the intersection’s TSP was reportedly at 278 micrograms per normal cubic meter, almost four times the normal value set by the World Health Organization.

TSP usually comes from vehicle emissions, building constructions, and smoke emitted by factories.

“But since there are no factories there, the TSP likely came from vehicle emissions,” a source at the DENR said.

The area is safe as long as people don’t stay longer than 24 hours, the DENR source said.

Motorbike robberies

Barangays Maharlika and Signal in Taguig have the highest number of motorcycle robberies in Taguig.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said motorcycles are usually stolen while parked in the morning.

SPD records show there were 191 motorcycle robbery cases from January to September this year in Taguig.

But Apolinario said the number could be bloated since 50 to 60 percent of the reported incidents “could not be validated.”

He said most of the complainants do not have the original receipts of the motorcycles, which could also mean that their motorcycle was stolen elsewhere.

He said some people also report losing their vehicles even if their neighbors and relatives only borrowed it. He said some owners report robberies to evade payment of their vehicle loans.

“That is why some motorcycle dealers reject loan applications if the buyer is from Barangay Signal or Maharlika,” Apolinario said.