Pickpockets target WHO officer

MANILA, Philippines - An officer of the World Health Organization (WHO) lost cash and a cell phone to pickpockets while buying groceries at a mall in Malate, Manila Wednesday night.

Laura Lloyd-Bralk of WHO’s Western Pacific Region Office told investigators at the Manila Police District’s General Assignment Section that she lost P4,000, $200, a credit card, and her cell phone.

Bralk said she saw three men watching her as she was shopping at the mall’s supermarket. She ignored the men until she noticed that her bag was missing from her shopping cart at around 8:45 p.m.

Police officers said they are conducting a follow-up operation to identify the men implicated by Bralk.