KM Viray
Netizen Dominic Raip Yu posted photos of three members of the budol-budol gang. Yu told netizens that these three, a man and two women, were caught last September 3 and brought to Bacoor Police Station in Barangay Talaba in Bacoor, Cavite. They managed to swindle P900,000.00 before being caught at SM Molino.
Other netizens also commented that they recognized the three. Hannah Cristel Hernandez Coloma said the women had attempted to swindle her in Casimiro Westville Homes also in Bacoor. She shared her experience in 2012, saying she had been approached and offered three kilos of prawns. Luckily, she was aware of such tactics and was able to save herself from being victimized.
Ellehcim Mmb Reyab also shared his experience back in 2010 when his money and cellphone were taken from him by the very same people. They had pretended to be lost and in need of directions at the time. Tricia Mae Ojeda Alejandro validated this statement saying one of the women pretended to have come from the province and needed help finding her way around.
Budol-budol is a type of modus operandi where trusting victims are exploited. According to Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said budol-budol robbers more likely play the confidence game than hypnotize their victims, who fall under “pambobola.” Other budol-budol techniques include making the victim focus on one thing too much to the point that the victim will no longer doubt the validity or authenticity of the gang member’s claim or product.
Other victims are encouraged to come forward and file a case against these budol-budol gang members. Netizens are also advised to remain vigilant and be more alert to avoid being victims of such modus operandi.
