⌛ Regarding numerous robberies of expats 2 years ago

This is a post I made recently on another forum regarding the armed robberies of expats that were common for a period of time two years ago. Yes, it is another cut and paste, but it is my own words. Perhaps some members will find it interesting, while others I'm sure will find it "offensive and negative".


During the time that these robberies were going on here, I had a long
conversation over beers with a Brit who has lived here for nearly 30
years. He told me not to worry about it, that pretty soon people would
be turning up dead in the ditches, and that soon afterwards it would
stop. He was right on the money.

From that, I tend to believe some of the other aspects of this that he
told me, and the reason it has to be this way.

In most modern countries, the "state" will pick up the tab for
prosecution of a criminal. Here, that is not so. Unless the victim
pays for the prosecution, there usually is no prosecution. Now, throw
into this a few facts;

A: Armed robbery is a bailable offense.

B: The perpetrators have been robbing many people, and have the money
available for bail. Generally, they are tied in with drug cartell and
are very dangerous and quite resourceful.

C: The robbers will not hesitate to murder (or have murdered) those
that are prosecuting them, their arrestors, witnesses, or any of their
families.

D: The victims, witnesses, etc. by this time, know this.

So, even when the PNP or other factions involved know who are
committing these crimes, they are hesitant to arrest for these same
reasons. The perpetrators will in fact come after the officers
involved also. Even in the event they make the arrest, the perps are
out on the street within days, and have no qualms about going after
anyone involved, OR their families.

My friend also told me the persons involved in the vigilante justice
would be in some way or another officers of the government or somebody
paid by them.

From what I have seen here since that particular conversation, I have
no reason to NOT believe every word he told me. After all, he
predicted the 20+ people who turned up executed in the ditches in the
months that followed, and that the robberies would stop immediately
upon that.

Larry in Dumaguete

 

That is a fairly accurate description in my view, except it is not so prevalent among common theives. These vigilante hits are used to get the otherwise untouchable criminals off the streets or are feuds between rival clans. Most of that type of crime you described is drug related which means there are many dirty hands from thieves, dealers, to important members of the powers that be.

Sometimes a drug lord or mid level operator gets in trouble when he trys to cheat or stiff the police or politicians that allow him to operate. It's no different than the mafia or mob in the U.S., just more out front so you see it.
again this kind of crime is not threatening to tourists or expats unless they are in the line of fire for some unlikely reason.

I saw one of these hits myself first hand. Or I should say heard it then realized soon after what had hapened. A guy and his girlfriend where riding a motor past our house at the time, a few years ago, two guys with hoods and a nine mil pistol pumped 6 rounds in him as they passed. The girl surrvived, the vigilantes of cousre took off. Later it came out that the dead dude was out on bail for drug dealing...

One thing everyone should realize, there are more kinds of police, secret police, hired deputies, and hidden undercover ununiformed cells than you can imagine here. It is why as a visitor you should not assume anything about the person you are speaking with. just be nice and polite to everyone until you get a feel for how things operate here. It is not Kansas. That said there are very organized protocols for action, it is not as wild west as it seems.

At least that's my opinion.

Wait until election time...

 

PS:
Oh and if you are a gun toting foreigner who shoots a robber entering your house under Larry's scenario, you will be held liable for his injuries or death, up to a million Pesos or worse, your head. Weigh carefully the consequences of your actions here.

 

I was told the same thing when I was in Mindanao...with one ray of hope...$5000 would make it go away should I get in that situation...what the hell it's light at the end of the tunnel...right?


Southerndon

 

Not only light...

Money fixes everything here, one friend of mine was riding his motorcycle in Mindanao with a friend, It was dark going through a small town, suddenly a small motorbike went out in front of the guys friend without warning from a side street, the American literaly ran over the motor with guy and girl on board. no serious injuries,(except the American guy severly burned his leg). The man had no liscense, the girl was very drunk. When the police came the man insisted the girl was driving, she had a liscense. The police agreed with the local that the foreigner should pay 5,000 pesos damages to the motorbike. The foreigner was indignant and arrogant, my friend tried to calm him to no avail. Off they went to the poloice station. The American guy continued his rant threatening to get powerful lawyers and this was unfair. The police officer calmly pulled out his gun, pointed it at the American and said; "I can shoot you, shut up". My friend pulled the other foreigner aside and said listen do what they ask, there is no choice here and now. The guy finally agreed to pay the money. The minute the foreigner handed over the cash to the drunk unliscensed motorbike driver, everybody was all smiles, and very gracious.

Possible scenarios:

the two filipinos were relatives
there were Filipinos vs Foreigners
The Filipinos split the money
foreigners are for exploiting
all of the above