ILOILO City – With the holiday season approaching, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has issued a warning to the public about the potential risk posed by budol-budol (swindling) gangs and other petty criminals targeting holiday shoppers.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, shoppers should be vigilant and cautious of individuals behaving suspiciously.
“We urge the public to be mindful of their surroundings and avoid interacting with anyone exhibiting unusual behavior, especially if money is involved,” said Solis.
The modus operandi of the budol-budol gang involves showing bundles of cash to gain a victim’s trust, which, upon inspection, turn out to be stacks of blank paper.
Additionally, snatchers often target valuables in shoppers’ bags, with incidents reported both on the streets and in malls.
Though no recent incidents have been recorded in the region, Solis emphasized the importance of early precaution. He also shared practical shopping tips to help the public stay safe:
* Avoid carrying large sums of money; bring only what you need.
* Minimize the display of valuable jewelry.
PRO-6 advises all shoppers to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station as they enjoy the holiday season./PN
