Some foreigners fake robbery cases for insurance purposes, says cop
Boracay Island - Robbery cases involving foreign tourists in this island are not all true. Chief Inspector Jess Mendez, chief of the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office, claimed some of the robbery and theft cases reported by foreigners are purposely made for them to claim insurance.
Mendez said some tourists even come to their office to report a case of thievery or robbery ten days after the alleged incident happened.
He added, they alleged victims would usually ask for a certification from the police that indeed they have lost their belongings.
Mendez, who flaunted himself to have joined several United Nations trips said the foreigners commonly register their belongings such as expensive cameras and cellphones for insurance purposes.
However, the Boracay police chief could not cite specific incidents of fake robbery involving foreign tourists. He only based his statement on several information they received.
Mendez said they are hoping to catch some of these foreigners who engage in such act.
He said, they have initiated some steps to prevent such occurrence of "hold-up me" incidents in the island which could ruin the tourism industry.
Mendez said one step is for the police to only issue certification to the alleged victims but with notation that the case is still subject for verification.
He said, the certification would not contain any affirmation as to the claim of the victims regarding their lost belongings.