nakaw na naman

copied from facebook

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I would always read forwarded emails about theft but I never thought I would write one myself.  I write this to teach people to take extra measures especially for runners alike, race organizers and for my family and friends.
 
Last Saturday, January 8, 2011, we joined the Run for Love, Run for Life race in Alabang.  Miko, Leo and I signed up for the 10k and we finished satisfied with our race time.  However, when we got back to Miko’s car, it was unlocked and all our valuables and my entire bag that was in the trunk were stolen. Here’s the detailed account of what happened to us.  May others learn from this and be more careful especially during races.
 
5:45 am
We parked inside Westgate Alabang premises entering the guardhouse beside Total gas station. Guards were assisting runners where to park and one even assisted Miko as he was parking.
 
6:00 am
The race program begins and we ran our 10k race.
 
8:00 am
We went back to the car and found it unlocked.  Leo lost his Nokia phone and cash.  His wallet was transferred from his bag (on the backseat) to the glove compartment. Miko’s backpack and shoulder bag (containing documents) were stolen.  It had clothes, 2 wallets, Blackberry and Nokia phones. My handbag was stolen with my HTC phone, Zune player and all other personal belongings. Immediately, we called the security guards on duty and reported the incident. We asked if they had CCTV cameras installed but unfortunately, they said they don’t have such security devices. They asked us to file a police report but we said we’ll do it after breakfast and after having all our credit cards, ATMs, post-paid lines cut.
We went home to Miko’s house in nearby Alabang Hills to report stolen cards and lines to all service providers.
 
9:30 am (approximately)
We got a phone call from Miko’s friend whose business card is in Miko’s backpack.  Apparently, the race organizers found Miko’s backpack in the baggage counter of the race.  And since it was unclaimed, they did all they can to return it to the owner.  (Kudos to the efforts of the race organizers, Thumbie and Popo Remigio!)  We got Miko’s backpack bag with his clothes, 2 wallets with IDs and cards.  (No more cash and two mobile phones, of course).
 
11:30 am (approximately)
We went back to Westgate to further discuss with security and to personally report this to the OIC.  We also wanted to take chances if they left my handbag around or in one of the trash bins.
 
12:00 nn
Miko’s dad got in touch with us because a guy called him up claiming that he has my wallet. (Oddly enough, Miko’s ID, where he indicated his Dad to be the person to call in case of emergency, found its way in my wallet. Could it be that the thief got it from Miko’s shoulder bag and put it there so we can be contacted? It seems that we have a “conscientious thief” here.)   We called up the guy and he said he found my wallet in Sta.Rosa, Laguna around 8am.  We planned on meeting up with him after filing our police report.


12:30 pm
Miko and I went to Alabang Police Station to file our report.  The Security OIC of Westgate accompanied us.
 
1:30 pm
 We headed to Balibago Complex in Sta.Rosa Laguna to claim my wallet.  Apparently, it’s just my coin purse and checkbook they found in a garbage bin within the premises.  Not my wallet.  My coin purse had my Driver’s License, SSS ID, Company ID, credit cards.  But ATMs, discount cards, my other IDs were not returned.
 
We take responsibility for leaving valuables in the car. It has been a habit during runs.  I mean, where else do I leave my stuff when I run at the Fort or around UP Acad Oval or wherever.
 
What’s disappointing is that Westgate( where you can find rows of high-end establishments) does not have a single CCTV installed. What’s disappointing is we paid for parking, we paid for security and safety.  The last time we ran in Alabang for training, we just parked along the street beside Petron and nothing happened.  But for the race day, we opted to pay for parking inside Westgate for extra care measures and yet we are failed by their security.
I hope my family, friends and fellow runners learn from this.   The race organizers mentioned that theft incidences have been happening during races.  Thieves already know that runners would not be going back to check on their cars for 1-2 hours upon parking.  Moreover, they probably know that you would be leaving bags and valuables given that you don’t bring anything while running.
 
May other race organizers take into consideration the security of the runners too, who register to support their causes and to help others.  May parking security also take care of their customers on a personal level, not just because it’s their job.   Or if they do just for the job, may they commit to their work in excellence.
Thank you for taking time to read this.
 

malaking katangahan talaga na iwan mo yung gamit mo in plain sight sa loob ng kotse.

ingat parin po dapat.

also at Posted at PCN:

7 Mountain bikers held at gunpoint...

tsk tsk...

i agree, plain "kumpyansa"! in the 1st place you dont
bring those valuable items in any running events,
eh me malapit naman pala haus near sa running event area eh. eh bakit di na lang nila iniwan dun mga gamit nila.
2nd magdala ng supporter pag me run. let them look for all your valuable stuff.cheerer na guard pa.my wifey does it whenever i have run. or like ryan and michel na laging andun mga better half nila pag me race.

sa pinas pa! katabi na nga sa pagkain eh nasasalisihan pa (i've witnessed some) what more kung iiwan mo.

ingat ingat mga bro.kahit sa mga bundok na inaakyat namin me mga kawatan! imagine holdapan sa bundok!
lalo na sa syudad!

my 2 cents worth.