No more 'bukas kotse' teens in Guadalupe

MANILA, Philippines -  Motorists passing through the Guadalupe area in Makati City along EDSA should no longer fear being victimized by teenage “bukas kotse” robbers, acting city police chief Superintendent Jaime Santos said yesterday.

Santos said that after Thursday night’s roundup of five minors suspected of opening unlocked car doors and robbing the occupants of vehicles trapped in traffic jams, there have been no similar incidents.

“We could say that the area is now safe for motorists,” he said.

Santos added that the Makati police has also deployed policemen to secure the southbound and northbound lanes of EDSA.

Santos also said that the Makati police, with the assistance of social workers, relocated street dwellers and some minors staying along Pasay Road.

In addition, Santos said, police have also intensified operations against vagrants and people drinking in the streets as part of its police visibility drive.

The five minors, aged 14 to 16, were turned over to the Makati social welfare department. Chief Inspector Alfredo de la Cruz said the five minors may be substance abusers.

Santos said the minors were later released to their parents and were not charged after they were evaluated by the social workers.