ECHOZONE
Memoir of a Bukas-Kotse gang victim
There is always a first time to everything and anything. There is also a light at the end of a dark tunnel. There is also the brighter side to a dark moment. And there definitely is a reason why things happen.
I had my moment late Monday evening following a very tiring day at work and stressful, dreadful post-work, hours thereafter. What better way for me to unwind and de-stress then than to spend it at my favorite place, CARLO’S bakeshop and restaurant of Iloilo City’s first family. I was with lawyer friend, Attorney Joviel Edama, broadcaster pal Jun Caps and attorney’s uncle. It was one great nightcap with Carlo himself, the eldest son of Mayor Jerry and Ma’am Rosalie Treñas, greeting us and letting us try 3 special Halloween drinks. There was a couple in the next table when we got there but left a few minutes leaving the restaurant all to ourselves. Longtime writing buddy Nereo Lujan came with Mercedes Tabano and the talk shifted to a business proposal with the city government for the automation of the police clearance system.
Meantime, there was this burly guy who must be in his 30s, dark-skinned, military haircut and wearing a dark blue collared shirt. He appeared to be busy and preoccupied talking on his cellphone while going around the restaurant premises. I noticed that yet I was in my nonchalant stance. He did get my attention again for acting strangely harried when it was one cool, calm atmosphere inside the restaurant. But then again, I was in my element of mixed suspicious mode and too-tired-to-really-care state. The latter prevailed. At that time, at least 3 other accomplices were apparently busying and helping themselves to the easy loot inside Atty. Edama’s Suzuki van.
This we were to discover later upon our exit, seeing that the window by the passenger’s seat behind the van’s front seat was all open. As in literally open with shattered glass everywhere. Turned out that burly guy we saw was the look-out. Later we also gathered that when the restaurant guard tried to check the parking lot, he was suddenly approached by another man and requested to buy mineral water. A perfect diversionary tactic albeit really lame but it worked nonetheless. Let no one be quick to judge anybody though especially the guard on duty nor the owners of the restaurant.
True, I felt safer there thus leaving the laptop inside Atty.’s van yet it was nobody’s fault really. Between me and Atty. Edama, we lost two laptops, P5,000 cash and cologne. There are a lot of “if only” though, like if only we did not leave it there. If only the van was parked visible to us. If only there is some honor in thieves and they only victimize their fellow thieves particularly those in government. If only there are no buyers of stolen goods. If only there is conscience left to people who feed themselves and their families using dirty money. If only we have decent jobs for everybody. If only thugs will spare stressed-out and tired working people like me especially on a Monday. If only.
Now for the light at the end of a dark tunnel. Lost for at least two hours were two bags – my Harrods document bag and Atty.’s precious bag from our late love, Atty. Kune Panes. When I said there is a brighter side to a dark moment, I was referring to this – the return of our documents and bags with a piece of candy from the suspects. And amazing really how professional these criminals are. From my returned bag were my CDs that contained important files, apparently of no value to them thus taken from the inside of my laptop bag and transferred to the other. Roving tanods in Jaro District found them at the back of Iloilo Supermart Jaro Branch then turned it over to the Jaro PNP. The full coverage of colleagues from Aksyon Radyo, RMN and DYSI signaled the tanods on what were missing and upon seeing the suspicious bags left in said area, lost no time and brought those to the Jaro Police Station.
By the way, my eldest son while sympathetic to my plight had several theories. He wanted me to seriously consider that it could have been the handiwork of politicians I angered. He also fears that there is one big conspiracy out there to rid me and Atty. Edama of our laptops. Philippine Daily Inquirer friend Nestor Burgos had his own theory with matching suspect but it’s all more of a Hollywood plot with entertainment value for us both.
Lessons learned in this incident. Do not leave valuables inside your car even if you are parked inside Church premises or any other perceived safe places. Criminals have no respect nor regard for that. A car alarm can really be handy. Park in a spot visible to you if possible, or even if well-lighted, go back to the first lesson – do not leave valuables inside your car. Be attentive of your surroundings and anything suspicious, report to the guard or authorities. Report immediately to police any such incident and it really helps to have the media involved so as to warn the public. And pray. Pray that it will not happen to you nor to your loved ones. Pray that if it does happen, lives will be spared. A stolen laptop is a costly mistake yet it can be replaced. Do not be quick in putting the blame to someone – not the guard, nor the management. Not the police nor the government. Things happen for a reason just as shit happens for no reason.
And yeah. All you laptop holders. Make sure you email yourself all the files in your laptop so it is less painful and less traumatic when the unit is lost. I am half-traumatized because I have secured my important files. Plus the recovery of my documents! God is still at work or more so at work even in the most undesirable of circumstance.
If for some opportunity, this piece gets to the attention of the crooks responsible for this bukas-kotse incident, please feel free to go over my files and news saved in the laptop. You would realize there are bigger crooks than your gang. You are small time really if compared to the people I write about. So next time, you may all want to reconsider and target your energy elsewhere. While at it, would it be too much to request that you delete all my files before you have it on sale? Wishful thinking but I believe in the misplaced honor of thieves actually. I have been covering the Capitol for years remember.
Thank you to Butch Muya and Renan Cayanan who turned-over my heavy documents and the bag and Atty. Edama’s too. Thank you to the Jaro PNP. Thank you to Pax Ngo and another longtime friend, Councilor Armand Parcon who personally came to check on us. Thank you to colleagues who responded and got the message through the airwaves on what were stolen. Thank you to Ma’am Rosalie and Major Jerry for the prompt assistance in calling the authorities. Thank you to Carlo for keeping his cool and for handling the situation very maturely. Thank you to Nereo, JunCaps, ABS-CBN’s Gemma and Nony for the kind, comforting words, J Lo who commiserated with me, Aksyon Radyo’s Mario G, Febs Tibor and JunJun Sornito, my loves at the RMN, John M, Nerissa and Mike E. and rest of GMA family, Z100 FM’s Ompoy and bro Rexfel. IBC’s Tita Cory Paniergo, TNT family Erly and Tita Maricar, my dependable Bombo loves Roger, Edimar, PJB and John. My News Express boss and friend, Tito Reming. My sister-rette Vangie, my fave sistah-in-law Tita Mays, Lopez days friend Sonie and Sir Iko. I am overwhelmed with all of your concern. Maybe you can all get me a new laptop??
And I’m sorry Atty. Edama for our misfortune. I know it was not my fault but I’m sorry nonetheless.
Memoir of a bukas-kotse gang victim. Sadly, I am not the first but how I wish I will be the last.
P.S. to the suspects: Maybe you can give me an exclusive interview on your exploits? Like why is it so seemingly easy to get away with it and what are the scientific approaches for this thus far fool-proof attacks? I’m all ears.