I have shown in the Part 1 of the Crimes in Major Cities in Philippines the gangs like Salisi Gang, Tutok-Kalawit Gang, Ativan Gang, Ipit Gang, Budol-Budol Gang, Kotong, Laslas Bag / Laslas Bulsa, Ipit Taxi Gang and Estribo Gang. Here’s the other list of more gangs as a continuation…

Bukas Kotse Gang

In main roads under heavy traffic, parking areas in malls, churches, schools, etc…

Thieves typically work in pairs.. Spotting a potential victim driving a car with unlocked doors, a pair will force their way into an occupied parked car or a vehicle stopped at an intersection. Other times, using a car of their own, the pair will force the victim to maneuver his or her vehicle off the road. One of the attackers will force the victim to open his door. The attacker pushes the victim to the front passenger seat, drives the car to a deserted area, and robs the victim. Sometimes, the attackers also steal the car.

Dura Boys

In public transportation terminals, jeepneys, and buses…

This tactic is usually carried out by a group of three. The first member informs the victim that a man/woman has spit on her sleeve and back. The victim will be distracted trying to wipe the spit on her sleeve while one of the other members of the gang steals the victim’s valuables, usually a wallet or a mobile phone.

Akyat-Bahay Gang

In residential areas…

The Akyat-Bahay is the most common robbery scheme in the Philippines . This crime is usually orchestrated by three to five people. These thieves target homes that are unoccupied especially during the holiday season (i.e. Christmas, Holy Week, and Summer Vacation) or during severe weather conditions (i.e. typhoons) when members of the household can barely notice break-ins into their homes. The gang also employs children who can easily enter homes illegally through tight spaces.

Pitas Gang

In provincial and city operation buses, jeepneys, motorized passenger sidecars (tricycles), and schools…

Thieves typically target passengers seated near the windows of public buses, jeepneys, and tricycles. Among the items usually snatched by thieves include wrist watches, rings, necklaces, mobile phones, and hand bags.

Another variant occurs when a group of thieves grab the ears of women and young girls and steal their earrings or snatch their bracelets from their wrists.

Zest-O Gang

In provincial/city operation buses…

This scheme is usually executed by three members. One of the perpetrators wears a bus conductor’s uniform and ask their potential victim “ilan ho” or “how many?” The unsuspecting victim assumes that the man is the bus conductor and responds with the amount of fare the victim should pay. The criminal then forcibly hands the victim a Zest-O juice or any food item and demands that the victim pay for the item. The two accomplices will vouch that the victim ordered from the vendor. The victim will then be forced to pay up.

Laglag-Barya Gang

In provincial/city operation buses, jeepneys, railway stations…

Members of this gang drop coins or small bills near their victim. While the victim helps to scoop up the money, other gang members start robbing the victim. In most instances, a gang member blends with the crowd and serves as lookout or “stopper,” when someone tries to run after his companions.

Baraha Gang

In restaurants, shopping malls, department stores, supermarkets…

Members of this gang are typically waiters and cashiers who target credit card users in business establishments. Once the victim gives his credit card to the waiter/shop attendant the card is swiped to a skimming device that will capture the victim’s credit card account.

Besfren Gang

In bargain malls and open-air markets…

This gang targets shoppers who check out items sold in stalls (i.e. watches, jewelry, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets). One of the gang members stands next to the victim and borrows the item being checked, pretending that he/she is a friend of the victim. The thief will quickly flee the stall premises bringing with him/her the said item. The store owner/attendant naturally assumes that the victim is an accomplice and will ask him/her to pay for the item.

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Crimes are everywhere – on the streets, while riding on public transportation, in shopping malls, and in other areas with high people concentration. Here are the common names of gangs roaming around the metro. OFWs like us who have been out of the country for quite some time should know these modus operandi victimizing Filipinos in Metro Manila and in other major cities in the Philippines. So beware…

• Salisi Gang

In hotel lounges, coffee bars, cafes, and restaurants frequented by perceivably wealthy tourists and businessmen…

Suspects are typically well-dressed, mild-mannered, and project an aura of legitimate businessman or an affluent matron; complete with jewelry, attaché case and other props to appear and look wealthy. The perpetrator moves closer to the would-be victim and waits patiently until the victim is engrossed in a serious conversation with a companion or leaves his or her bags and other belongings unattended. In a swift motion, the perpetrator takes the unattended bag or belongings and casually leaves the place.

Another variant, involves two or three accomplices who distract the would-be victim by engaging them in a conversation, often pretending to know the victim from somewhere or ask for a lighter. When distracted, the accomplice takes the unattended bag or belongings of the victim.

Another tactic involves a perpetrator who loiters around the hotel ‘ s front desk and waits for a guest to deposit his room key or is busy conversing with the front desk staff during registration. Once the victim is already busy talking with the front desk staff, the perpetrator makes his move by walking beside the victims and grab the bags or belongings unattended in a swift motion and casually leaves the location.

• Tutok-Kalawit Gang

In malls, sidewalks, schools, public buses, and jeepneys…

Tutok-Kalawit involves a man or woman suddenly hugging a victim like they are old friends. In truth, the con man or woman is discreetly poking a sharp object on the side of the victim while quietly telling him to turn over his cash and valuables.
Another variant of this criminal tactic would be two thieves accusing a victim of something bogus. The victim would naturally deny the charge and confront his accuser. The thieves would then ask the victim to show his/her ID. Since IDs are usually kept in wallets, thieves will grab the wallet from the victim and run away.

• Ativan Gang

In bars, boardwalks, restaurant, and other tourist spots…

Ativan perpetrators commonly victimize foreigners who roam alone in public places. The group is usually composed of three (3) to four (4) males or females who befriend the would-be victim. After gaining trust and confidence, the victim will be taken for a ride to other tourist sites and during meal time, the victim will be brought to their house usually situated in a squatter colony where the victim will be treated for lunch, snacks, or dinner. The served drink is spiked with Ativan – a powerful anti-depressant/ sleeping pill. Even before finishing the drink, the victim will succumb to a deep sleep and while sleeping, will be stripped of his cash and valuables and will be brought out of the house and left at a completely random location.
Another variant of this tactic is when a male victim is se – duced and picked-up in a bar, restaurant, park and/or a tourist site by a gorgeous female, well dressed and well-mannered. The victim will be approached and befriended until a casual conversation and se – duction process takes place which culminates in negotiated se – xual activities. The victim will either be brought to a pre-arranged hotel/motel or to his own hotel room. Once at the designated room, the victim will be offered liquor or drink which the perpetrator mixes with highly potent Ativan pills. Once the victim is unconscious, the suspect will divest the victim of his cash/valuables, and then leave the victim at the scene. Most of the victims of this crime wake-up after two to three days and it takes another two days before the victim can fully recover from the drugs and discover the losses.

• Ipit Gang

In crowded areas such as passenger jeepneys, railway stations, and malls…

Ipit gang members operate in groups of four or five. Gang members shove or push a prospective victim to distract him or her, while their accomplice picks his pocket. In jeepneys and buses, suspects squeeze-in and distract their victims while their accomplice snatches the victim’s wallet and/or mobile phone.

• Budol-Budol Gang

In malls, airports, restaurants, and coffee shops frequented by perceivably wealthy tourists and businessmen…

Budol-Budol is a transaction scam principally involving a supposed bundle (budol) of cash that is actually padded inside with sheets of paper cut in the size of money. Only the exposed sides however are real money, everything in between are plain paper cuttings.

Budol-budol gang members are often described as sweet-talking, charismatic, and convincing. Other victims even report having been hypnotized by the group.

Reports and stories of the Budol-budol operations vary from a balikbayan (returning overseas Filipinos) urgently needing a huge amount in Philippine Peso in exchange for his Dollars, to a stranger ‘ s emergency offer to swap his bundle of cash with a mobile phone or an expensive piece of jewelry. After gaining the potential victim ‘ s trust the two parties barter their items – the bundle of money for whatever product the to-be victim is peddling. Mobile phones and jewelry are the most commonly lost items. Some high profile cases involve rare paintings, expensive furniture and millions worth of checks to the Budol-budol gang. After the deal is made, the gang and the victim splits.

Another, more sensational and dramatic variant of this crime is the use of fake gold bars, which the suspects use as bait for their victims. The ploy commonly used involves a Filipino treasure hunter or a Japanese survivor has knowledge of a secret Japanese fortune which was plundered by the retreating Japanese Army during World War II which is yet to be completely recovered. A sample of the gold bar is shown to the would be victim for physical examination and since the gold bar actually looks genuine, an offer is made to sell the whole fortune by asking the victim to pay half the cost of the gold bars under terms and conditions agreed upon. One of the conditions is that the gold bars can be delivered or a map can be provided and brought to the site where the bars can be dug up. After the payment, the perpetrators will never show up and the victim will soon discover that the gold bars which were delivered or unearthed from the site are gold plated lead bars.

• Kotong

In airports, hotels, restaurants, malls, and public parks frequented by foreigners and balikbayans…

The common victims of this MO are foreigners, balikbayans and their dependents who are lured into exchanging their foreign currencies into pesos at a rate higher than the prevailing exchange rates. The group/individual approaches and offers a tempting high rate to the would-be victim.

During the transaction, which usually takes place outside or right in front of a foreign exchange shop, the equivalent peso is counted before the victim three times. Initially, the victim is allowed to count the money he will receive to make him feel confident that he will get the exact amount for his foreign currency. After, a recount is done by one of the perpetrators spreading the pesos in his palm to cover his fingers that are folding a portion of the bunch. The suspect distracts the attention of the victim, often by telling him to be extra careful of robbers, while wrapping the bundle of money in a newspaper or placing it inside a paper bag. The victim eventually discovers that he was shortchanged when he counts the money while inside a car or upon arrival at his house or hotel.

• Laslas Bag / Laslas Bulsa

In malls, open-air markets, and public transportation…

Perpetrators of this crime usually target victims in crowded areas. A man/woman/child pretending to be lost or selling an item approaches the victim to distract his/her attention. An accomplice slashes the bag/pocket of the victim who is busy being distracted by another suspect. All money and goods are stolen.

• Ipit Taxi Gang

In taxis…

The Ipit Taxi scheme usually involves three (3) perpetrators. The trio uses a taxi cab spray painted with a different name and sporting stolen or fake license plates. The driver usually drives around looking for a potential victim who is hailing a taxi cab. Unknown to the victim, the locking mechanisms of both rear doors are not working. The driver then drives the cab to a pre-arranged area, usually a dimly lit street or highway, and slows down pretending he has engine/mechanical trouble. At this juncture his cohorts approach both doors of the cab, jump in and sandwich the victim who is forcibly divested of his cash and valuables. After the victim is robbed, the driver takes the victim and dumps him in a quiet place or highway.
In another variant, the taxi driver, with the help of an illegal solicitor, will ask the victim to pay an additional amount or forcibly divest him of all cash and valuables, then the victim is dumped in a remote area.

• Estribo Gang

In public transportation…

Attackers prey on passengers inside a bus or jeepney by positioning themselves near the estribo or vehicle ‘ s exit and then hold up everyone inside. In other instances, a crafty criminal will set up at the exit of a crowded bus or jeepney and systematically pick the pocket of passengers passing through.

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There is no stopping Filipinos from working abroad. Doctors, nurses and engineers are among others. The sad thing is – even our educators – are joining the mass migration of Filipinos.

What do you think are the reasons pushing our teachers to work abroad? They are supposed to be the ones laying out the foundation for the Filipino youth and yet – they continue to seek for careers abroad leaving the Filipino youth hungry for quality education.

So what’s really keeping our Filipino teachers from staying and teaching away from Philippines?

According to Annie Geron, secretary-general of Public Service Labor Independent, 4,000 Filipinos have already have already moved to the US, Middle East and other Asian countries for teaching jobs in less than a decade.

Because of these, our quality of education has deeply suffered and it also resulted in a shortage of about 16,000 teachers when the school year opened.

Poor working conditions and uncertain career advancement have been cited as contributing factors why our teachers are going elsewhere to teach and earn.

But one of the most obvious and foremost reason is the low salary. A local teacher’s salary in Philippines pales in comparison when compared to how much he or she can earn in the US. In the US, a teacher could earn from $4,000 to $8,000 a month or 20 times his or her salary in the Philippines. According to Labor Undersecretary Romeo Lagman, his wife is a teacher for 41 years but when her wife retired, her salary was only P14,000. Knowing this, most of us might not be surprised anymore why teachers are selling polvoron, longganisa, tocino, yema and pastillas to their students.

If you were a teacher, what would you choose – a $300 a month salary or somewhere around $4,000 to $8,000 a month salary?

Don’t be surprised also if teachers themselves are the ones encouraging students to study hard and work abroad.

As an OFW, I will not be surprised at all.

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Today, the economy is down, prices are high and most working class people are running their households on a tight budget. This situation may prolong and until then saving can’t be that fun and easy. But families have to save to pay for loans, monthly bills and for all the extra purchasing binges irrespective of the market conditions.

Here are simple ways to start saving now.

Save wisely
1. Keep a separate savings account to push in extra funds that come in sometimes (maybe from a garage sale, or availing discounts, etc).
2. This is the financial backup that people should have for financial emergencies.

Reduce your monthly bill payments
1. Pay credit cards in full. Never postpone payments or pay after the due date.
2. Find unique ways to save on gas and electricity. Take a walk to the nearby store.
3. Use less of the car, try cycling or walking to your destination. Helps to workout as well!

Budget Well
1. Use online bill management software or a budget planner to manage your funds.
2. With regular alerts and efficient funds analysis, they will help you calm any financial crisis and save well for the future.

Family Support
1. There is no use in tightening the reign when there is no financial emergency; but always keep your family aware of the current economical situation.
2. This way, they will voluntarily help increase savings in many other ways.

With the current job market down, the unexpected may happen at any moment. Keeping ourselves well equipped to meet any eventuality will definitely provide a secure living for our families.

Article Source: Free-Articles-Zone

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This figure came as a result of Social Weather Station (SWS) survey but if Malacanang will be asked about the said percentage, it is just a perception than reality.

According to SWS, about 14 million Filipinos are jobless in February as compared to 27% or 11 million last December 2008. The SWS survey also showed that of the unemployed, 13% voluntarily left their jobs while 12% were retrenched. Of those retrenched, 9% were laid off and 3% had contracts that were not renewed because their employers ceased operations.

But Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that the SWS survey is not as accurate as the LFS or Labor Force Survey of the labor department which according to him uses internationally-accepted standards. He added that LFS has a very much wider reach than the SWS which only had 1,200 respondents.

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