Passenger's Wallet Stolen While Napping on Quezon City Bus — Trio of Pickpockets in Next Seat Arrested

📌 On September 30, three men sitting next to a 20-year-old passenger who fell asleep on a Quezon City city bus stole his wallet and fled.
The victim gave chase with the help of citizens and police, catching all three.

■ Date & Location
Wednesday, September 30, a city bus traveling along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City. The perpetrators got off near Ever Gotesco Mall and were caught around the Old Balara area.

■ Modus Operandi
· While the 20-year-old student passenger was sleeping on the bus, men sitting next to him slipped his wallet out.
· After the crime, they moved to the back of the bus and hurried off.
· After waking up, the victim realized his wallet was gone, and other passengers informed him, "The people sitting next to you took it."

■ Arrest
· The victim chased them down with the help of the bus driver and citizens.
· Cornered, one of them threw the wallet back and tried to scatter and flee again.
· Batasan Police Station (Batasan PS-6) officers on patrol rushed to the scene and arrested two of them, while the remaining one was caught with the help of citizens.
· Suspects: Three men aged 30, 23, and 26, all residents of Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City.
· Recovered: Wallet, 700 pesos in cash, student ID.

■ Tips for Expats & Travelers
· Falling asleep on buses, jeeps, or the MRT makes you a prime target for pickpockets. Be especially careful if multiple people board together and surround your seat.
· Do not keep wallets or phones in your back pants pockets or outer bag pockets; wear your bag in front with the zipper facing your body.
· It is safer to split up your cash, leave your original passport at your accommodation, and carry a copy (photo) instead.
· If you become a victim, rather than chasing them down alone recklessly, immediately alert the driver, people around you, or the police (911).

■ Sources
Manila Bulletin (10/1), Abante Tonite (10/1) — Both outlets match. Suspects' aliases varied by outlet, so they were omitted.