Foreigners fall prey to robbers

CEBU, Philippines - Two foreign nationals fall prey to robbers in separate incidents in Cebu City last Thursday and Friday.

Last Thursday, Japanese student Takami Hamamoto was walking along Osmeña Boulevard near the Capitol compound when a certain Vicente Salazar grabbed her iPhone 6 plus. Lucky for Hamamoto, the suspect was not able to flee as bystanders in the area collared him.

Salazar is detained at the Police Station 2.

Hamamoto will get her phone back once a formal complaint is filed against Salazar before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor.

PO3 Henry Abatayo said Hamamoto is a stay-in student at the Capitol campus of SMEAG. 

The following day, Friday, Taiwanese national Asraar Ali, 41, and his Pakistani friend lost valuables they left inside their vehicle while they were inside a store at the corner of Borromeo Street and Climaco Street.

PO3 Glee Bumaad of the Tourist Police Unit said the two men parked their multicab right outside the store at around 10 a.m. They reportedly stayed inside the store for just about three minutes but this was enough time for the suspect to steal the items from the multicab.

The two lost a Samsung note $2,700 US, Nokia cellphone worth P2,000, a sunglasses case with a Visa Card, and a pair of reading glasses.

Bumaad said the two left the window of the multicab open, which made it easier for the suspect to access their belongings.

The suspect remained unidentified as of yesterday. (FREEMAN)