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Pick Pockets and Petty Thieves in the Philippines

Lowering ones profile will not protect you from the criminal elements here and in every country in the world. There are many in the poor and crowed areas of Manila. But few around the smaller towns.

You will still be a rich white person in poor peoples eyes and some are hungry. I was returning from Quiapo market yesterday, onboard a jeep, wearing my usual marketing clothes, big shorts with lots of pockets, old sando and even older rubber shoes and carrying a bayong. A young man with a limp and carrying a walking stick hopped on the jeep and sat opposite me. He immediately produced a gold chain and tried to sell it to me for P700. I knew he was probably a snatchers fence. Quiapo, Manila, is a notorious area for snatchers. I spoke to him in Tagalog and he replied in the same language. He rapidly brought the price down to P250 before realizing I would not buy the stolen property. I told him I knew the item was snatched and he readily admitted it before he left. Quiapo and Divisoria are two of the worst areas for snatchers. I have witnessed snatching of gold chains, ear rings etc in both areas and am always careful of my own things. I have even seen a woman losing a large gift wrapped Xmas box to a snatcher who quickly ran away into a warren of lanes. Being alert to people around you is the only sensible course of action if you wish to keep your precious belongings. Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket, better in a front pocket where your arm is nearby and you can check surreptitiously from time to time. Probably even better in a belly bag. Do not bring out your cell phone in public places, it may be snatched from your hand and passed from accomplice to accomplice. Even if you did find the guy who took it, he will not have it. Beware of small groups of people starting to crowd you, they may be pickpockets. This happened to my mother in an up market mall, light fingers dipped into her shoulder bag and she lost a camera. She was being jostled on an escalator at the time. Keep bags at the front not hanging at the side or at the back. Pickpockets regularly use razors to slice open back pockets and shoulder bags. Snatchers are mostly males and pickpockets can be either sex. Pickpockets seldom work alone, they will always have at least one accomplice to hand off their booty to. In summary, be alert. Don't go around alone in crowded places unless you are well experienced in life here. Have someone cover you as you do for them also. Leave your jewelry at home or in the hotel. This kind of crime is mostly opportunistic. Don't give them the opportunity and you will be safe.

George (Edited)

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