Motorcycle Taxi Riders Warned of Passenger-Impersonating Thieves; Expert Offers Safety Tips

A growing sense of unease is spreading among motorcycle taxi riders in the Philippines as a string of violent incidents involving thieves posing as passengers are being reported across various areas. Most recently, the tragic fates of two motorcycle taxi riders, who were killed by thieves posing as passengers in Caloocan and Cavite, have been reported. What are the things that should be done to avoid street crimes? In “Unang Hirit” this Friday, Kier Gabriel Tampos, Phd., RCrim, a practicing criminologist and certified Criminal Profiling Specialist, expressed his condolences to the victims and offered specific safety tips for riders to avoid falling prey to such crimes. According to Tampos, motorcycle taxi riders are often targeted by criminals because motorcycles can be easily sold illegally, and they frequently operate during the early hours of the morning. The price of stolen motorcycles in the black market can range from P20,000 to P50,000. Tampos advises riders to remember the code T.A.S. when observing passengers: Look, Leave, and Follow. "Look" involves observing the passenger as they disembark, checking for any concealed weapons like knives, and assessing the surroundings. "Manmanan" is also the place. "Leave" suggests that if any suspicious activity is observed after the passenger disembarks, the rider should immediately try to escape. "If someone is seen holding a knife, run immediately to avoid it." "Follow" advises that if a rider is caught by a thief, it is best to comply with their demands to prioritize life. "But if the thief has caught you, it's better to just obey what is being done, because life is important." "Put down all the equipment. And the criminal, the suspect, focus on the equipment. This is the chance to run away, sir," Tampos explained. “Don't fight anymore, sir,” he said, adding that it would be better to just hand over the wallet or cellphone. Meanwhile, a holdup was also reported at a burger stand where the culprit entered the stall himself in Pandi, Bulacan. Tampos advised to lock the store and have employees be prepared as well. “It takes three seconds, sir, to make a decision when the imminent danger is right there,” he said. “This time, the woman fought back. Fortunately, she was not a victim of serious violence herself,” said Tampos. Ultimately, Tampos stressed the significance of trusting one's "instinct" or hunch. “Always be careful. We need to observe the passengers, our surroundings. And our instincts, we need to follow them. This is what helped us. I believe in this, sir, that if you sense a person with a negative vibe, then just avoid them, sir,” he added. In an interview with Romeo Maglunsod, chairperson, Motorcycle Taxi Community Alliance on Super Radyo dzBB, he advised fellow motor taxi riders to drop off their passengers at the right location, or in front of a house, barangay, or office, and in a well-lit area, to avoid any bad intentions on their part. — BAP, GMA News