UK Issues Warning Against Holdups in Taxis

[Monseratto]

PUVs are not safe. Chances are you know someone who has been robbed while riding in a PUV...

By Frank Schuengel on January 23, 2015



UK Issues Warning To Its Citizens In The Philippines After British National Was Shot During Taxi Hold-Up In Makati

The UK government has warned any of its citizens currently in the Philippines to be extra careful when travelling by taxi after a British woman became the victim of a violent robbery. The 51 year old female was riding a taxi from Burgos in Makati to Malate in Manila a few days ago when the driver suddenly declared a hold-up. After forcibly taking the woman’s handbag, the driver shot her twice in the face before escaping in an unknown direction, leaving his victim with serious injuries. The driver and a suspected accomplice have since been arrested.

The text of the warning, posted in the Foreign Travel Advice section of the Gov.uk website reads: “Latest update: Safety and security section (Crime) – only use taxis from a reputable company; some taxi drivers and their accomplices have robbed and harmed passengers.”

Another advisory posted on the website states: “There’s a high level of violent crime, including gun crime. Although British nationals are not normally targeted, they have been caught up in some incidents. Criminal gangs sometimes use terrorist tactics like kidnapping. Explosions attributed to criminal organisations have caused fatalities. There is a high incidence of street crime and robbery. You should take sensible precautions. Arrange to be met at the airport or use a hotel transfer service. Only use taxis from a reputable company. Some taxi drivers and their accomplices have robbed and harmed passengers. Avoid displaying cash or jewellery. Beware of strangers offering drinks or confectionery. They may be spiked. Be particularly vigilant when travelling on public transport. Armed hold-ups have occurred on ‘jeepneys’ and buses. In some cases these have resulted in fatalities.”

Incidents like this latest one should be of grave concern to the authorities and all involved. Here in Makati CBD, there seem to be ticket writing (and revenue generating) traffic enforcers on every corner, but proper police patrols, either by car or on foot, seem to be in somewhat short supply. While all victims of crimes are equal in their misfortune and deserve the same levels of sympathy and support, if warnings like this continue to be issued by foreign governments the city and the country as a whole may suffer from it due to security concerns influencing the decision of companies to base their offices here. Business Confidence can be a fragile thing and the best way to reassure the public and the business community (and to deter criminals) would be robust and highly visible policing.

In the meanwhile, the old warnings about taxis that everyone will be all too familiar with still hold true. Always check what cab you get into and note down the plate number. Text the number to a friend if you feel uncomfortable or don’t get in the cab in the first place if you feel suspicious. More often than not, human intuition- that gut feeling you get when something just doesn’t seem quite right – is a great help in avoiding sticky situations. While there are thousands of honest and hard working taxi drivers roaming the streets, sadly the few criminal elements amongst them mean everyone must continue to be careful when using this mode of transport.

UK Issues Warning To Its Citizens In The Philippines After British National Was Shot During Taxi Hold-Up In Makati - When In Manila

[dr. d]

this is an indication of how furriners see our country.
instead of complaining as a reflex action, we should ask how this view came about...

[machine.pistol]

The LTFRB should instead issue to operators a Certificate of Public Inconvenience.

[_Cathy_]

Uber is the safe option.

[cast_no_shadow]

Uber is the safe option.

Kaso Yung uber drivers ang hindi safe sa LTO and LTFRB hehe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jick.cejoco]

Bring back the death penalty with torture before the day of execution

[dr. d]

Bring back the death penalty with torture before the day of execution

hoy! bawal cruel and unusual punishment! even if they deserve it and more...
right between the eyes na lang.. mura pa.
after the trial, of course.

[machine.pistol]

If I were a foreigner choosing between Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the like, on one hand, and the Philippines, on the other, for a vacation, which would I choose?

[dr. d]

If I were a foreigner choosing between Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the like, on one hand, and the Philippines, on the other, for a vacation, which would I choose?

malaysia has a lot of nature attractions, like the philippines, and its sidewalks are cleaner.
but filipinos are generally easier and friendlier to talk to.
but we really have to get our act together, in order to attract tourism big time.

[_Cathy_]

If I were a foreigner choosing between Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the like, on one hand, and the Philippines, on the other, for a vacation, which would I choose?

Japan

[dr. d]

actually, my idea of a vacation is...
a nice airconditioned hotel room, a comfortable chair where i can read star trek beside a big window with a nice view, a phone where i can call for room service, and, most important....
a non-ringing cellphone!
i am happy minding the hotel room, even as the rest of my brood are crawling all over the tourist spots.

[leodawesome]

Japan

+ 100 ............

[yebo]

If I were a foreigner choosing between Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the like, on one hand, and the Philippines, on the other, for a vacation, which would I choose?

malaysia? pag pinoy ka at hindi ka nakabihis mayaman e tingin sa iyo walang pera. kaya pag pumasok ka sa stores sa mall at nagtanong ka di ka papansinin. sigawan ka pa ng "filipino no money, out!" pag babae ka at nag-land trip ka from singapore baka hingian ka pa ng kiss ng imigration officer bago tatakan ng visa ang passport mo.

thailand? ok lang basta ingat lang sa mga gangs, both local and foreign. note wala ka mababalitaan na gang killings sa thailand because the news is suppressed, sop na yun sa kanila lalo na kung sa tourist areas ang crime. they are protecting their tourist industry kaya walang news about crime sa tourist areas.

vietnam? pag sa south ok lang kasi nakaka-intindi sila ng english. sa north medyo mahirap. pero bida pinoy dun, kakampi laban sa china! generally pag nasa south ka at nalaman pinoy ka e friend ka na nila, lalo na mga older generation.

indonesia? generally peaceful kahit andun ang ji. the islamists are a very small percentage of the population. basta huwag ka lang sa jakarta, sobrang traffic.

philippines? e huwag ka sa manila, o mindanao. stay away from metro manila, high crime rate. stay away from mindanao except kung gusto mong maging guest ng abu sayyaff for 2 years hehehe!

brunei? but who in their right mind would go to brunei for a holiday? ano meron dun? wala!

[SiRbossR]

Why am i not surprised?

[CVT]

It was an unfortunate incident.... In the video, the Brit was asking for help, but those people just ignored her plea.....

[french]

Shot in the face.

Kawawa mga tourists sa Pinas.

[jick.cejoco]

If even a law abiding filipino is scared or wary roaming around in the country, how much more for a non filipino visitor

[vinj]

Meanwhile, I'll bet the LTFRB continues to say that these taxis and burning buses are a non-issue as compared to the likes of Uber.