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Riding hoodlums
The “Riding Hood” is a favorite fairy tale story retold many times
over to children. But today’s column will narrate a story not
intended for the children but for the police and local authorities
of Naga City to ponder on, and for the ordinary citizens to be
warned about.
The hoodlums nowadays are riding motorcycles all right, although
they don’t usually choose any particular color like red, while
engaging in nefarious activities. The hoodlums either wear a hood
(i.e. a flexible covering for the head and neck usually to a coat)
or a crash helmet. This new menace in Naga City hook (slang for
“steal”), and snatch necklaces, cellphones, shoulder bags, and
other valuables of unsuspecting pedestrians anywhere in the city,
anytime of the day!
It seems that the police and law enforcers were once again caught
flat-footed amidst the alarming incidents of snatching by the
riding hoodlums. In fact, there is no city ordinance that
regulates the easy identification of motorcycles plying the city
streets of Naga although the common getaway vehicles used in
ambuscades, robberies, snatchings, and other crimes are
motorcycles.
How many have been victimized by these riding hoodlums, and were
too afraid to even report or have the incident blottered with the
police? For instance, for the past two months, at least five
incidents of cellphone snatching and holdup robberies involving
students walking to their homes from schools occurred in Villa
Sorabella, Villa Grande, and other subdivisions in the city after
sundown. Criminals in all instances escaped expeditiously with a
motorcycle.
Several bag snatchings also happened in downtown areas in broad
daylight. One of these incidents involved a real estate broker and
wife of an RTC judge. But the favorite lairs of the riding
hoodlums lately are the Apo Drive and Mayon Avenue, which are now
notoriously known as the city hotspots! (They were named after two
active volcanoes that spew smoldering lavas, no wonder.)
Let me narrate the latest incident that happened on January 15,
2006 (Sunday) at 1:20 PM. A couple attended a banquet at a
prestigious restaurant along Apo Drive, Naga City, left the
occasion earlier than other guests, and were walking towards their
cars parked along the same street. While crossing the street, a
motorcycle slowed down and passed in front of them. While the wife
was entering her car, she felt somebody quickly pluck something
from her neck. By instinct, she held on to her gold necklace, but
it was too late. One of the two burly men riding the motorcycle
was able to snatch her necklace. All along, the husband who was
standing across the street saw the incident, and even shouted by
surprise. Since he was more concerned for the safety of his wife,
the husband tended first to her and so, failed to identify the
moving motorcycle. But he recalled that the driver wore a crash
helmet while the back rider did not have any. While getting away,
the back rider gave him a dirty finger!
I suppose, the dirty finger is not only meant for the couple, but
for the Naga City Police and City officials. The riding hoodlums
are in fact taunting the people of Naga City that they can do
anything in the city streets with impunity! They are flaunting
their bravado to commit such dastardly acts within the premises of
the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Naga City
Prosecution Office, and the Land Transportation Office (LTO). If
such place is no longer safe, how do we then assure the safety of
ordinary citizens in a small city like Naga?
The dirty finger is a declaration that the riding hoodlums have
become untouchables in the city’s gangster-land. That although
they have victimized countless persons, they have remained
unrecognized and untraced. What is ironic is that despite the
establishment of the so called Bankat or Bantay Kataid
(Neighborhood Watch) in the barangays, intelligence gathering
capability of the local authorities remain unintelligent and nil.
It is also unfortunate that due to lack of resources and manpower,
police visibility remains poor, and police patrol is practically
non-existent. We wonder if ever the police has a strategic plan to
address the worsening peace and order situation, in particular the
proliferation of crimes against persons and properties in the
streets!
Maybe, the police motorcycle squad should refrain from giving
escort service to VIPs, funeral processions, and endless
motorcades, and use such big and fast motorcycles for patrol, and
race after the speeding motorcycle-riding criminals instead. Maybe
the City Hall, and the Police should enhance its intelligence
network, and see to it that it works this time. We are also
enjoining every citizen to help and provide vital information to
authorities that could lead to the identification, and
apprehension of the criminals.
A word of advice, if you have an encounter with unidentified
motorcycle drivers and riders, GET THE PLATE NUMBER at once!
Better yet, try to recall the kind or make, and color of the
motorbike. Such info can give a strong lead to the authorities to
follow, towards the arrest and apprehension of the criminals. You
can send us your suggestions and practical tips on how the
citizens can better protect themselves from the criminal elements.
If you or your family members, and friends have been victims of
similar crimes you can share the experiences with us. Emails us at
hamodyong@hotmail.com. You can also call hotline number 472 6265
of the Public Safety Office for assistance.
***
GSIS ECARD LOANS. A GSIS member, Mr. Eliezer R. was surprised to
find out last week that the Php 5,000 loan he availed of last
February 2005 has now ballooned into Php 7,247.57. He took the
said loan using the new ECARD issued by the UNIONBANK. He would
like to know if it is reasonable for GSIS/UNIONBANK to charge
fifty percent per annum interest on its members?
Another reader, Mr. Gerry Buensalida volunteered that the “E” in
the GSIS ECARDS means “Exorbitant”. Any comment, General Manger
Winston Garcia?
QUOTES
“Success is not measured by what you are leaving to, but by
what you are leaving behind.” - Chris Musgrove
“For everything you have missed, you have gained something
else; and for everything you gain, you lose something.” -
Ralph Waldo Emerson
