Concerns about security in Makati City grew online following reports of recent alleged criminal incidents in the area.
On July 29, it was reported that the premier business district was tightening its security after diners at a restaurant were allegedly held up.
They reportedly had their watches, phones and wallets stolen.
Additional security personnel were deployed in the area following the incident.
Coordination with the Makati police and the Makati City government was also strengthened.
Another report claimed that the incident occurred on a weekend night last month.
On July 15, a Filipino expressed concern over the alleged criminal incidents in the city.
“Hello, meron kayang action plan si mayora? Kasi ang lala na talaga dito sa Makati. Ang daming magnanakaw, meron pa nakaraan, Vietnamese restau [restaurant], pinasok dalawang lalake, naka-kapote, face mask at helmet. May dalawa pang kasama sa labas,” the Pinoy wrote in the “r/makati” community on Reddit.
Some Reddit users also shared alleged experiences in the city.
“My friend got snatched P20,000 in Poblacion too,” a Redditor commented on July 14.
“Just this week, nanakawan ng phone ‘yung [girlfriend] ko sa One Ayala, kaya doble ingat palagi ‘pag dumaan dun,” another claimed on July 16.
A similar concern was raised by another Redditor on July 28.
“How true na may holdupan… last month? May mga nababasa at nakikita din ako na even at broad daylight, may mga naho-holdap at naii-snatchan,” the Reddit user said.
The post was likewise filled with comments from other online users who also shared alleged suspicious activities in Makati.
“My foreign boss had his phone snatched by a group of kids who ran off towards Nicanor Garcia on an early Friday evening. This was along Gil Puyat near One Central,” a Redditor wrote.
“I also observed what could be a gang of pickpockets: 1 older lady, 1 younger lady, and a teenage boy operating in tandem along Leviste Street. The older lady was seemingly scanning for targets. Outside, the boy kept on bumping into people at the pedestrian crossing and the younger lady was on the phone with him as a lookout,” the Reddit user added.
“A kagawad in Barangay Santa Cruz got shot on the face in broad daylight. Happened just last week,” another Redditor claimed.
“A group of 15 kids jumped a friend of mine and took money from his bag, they opened his bag and took a bunch of bills out. Near Makati [Avenue],” a different Reddit user wrote.
Another brought up the concern on Threads.
View on Threads
“My co-worker’s phone got snatched last month… Be vigilant kung nasa labas kasi hindi na safe sa labas,” another Threads user wrote.
“Also, there are rampant daylight robbery [or] snatching incidents around Salcedo and Valero area going to Paseo,” a different Threads user commented.
How to report crimes, suspicious activities
Earlier this month, Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay reminded the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or crimes to the police following an incident involving motorcycle-riding robbers in the city.
The Makati City Police may be contacted through the following numbers:
- 8887-6642
- 0905-330-6480
- 0929-793-6525
Coordinated campaign?
Meanwhile, a Redditor speculated that the incidents could be a “coordinated campaign to sow fear and a sense of criminality.”
“This campaign is being waged on multiple fronts, meron pang-masa, neron din pang-high end. ‘Yung sa high end, ‘yung krimen nasa sosyal daw na lugar, mga Rolex daw ninanakaw. ‘Yung sa mga pang-masa, wala naman silang Rolex e, kaya for them, patayan ng mga Angkas at Grab driver naman,” the Reddit user wrote on Thursday, July 30.
The Reddit user claimed that the incidents could be part of a “coordinated” campaign intended to make people believe that an “iron fist” approach is needed amid alleged rampant criminal activity.
The user alleged that the campaign could be linked to the Duterte camp, citing Vice President Sara Duterte’s stance toward the Marcos administration. Duterte is expected to seek the presidency in the 2028 elections.
Claims about an alleged connection between the Duterte camp and recent crimes being “coordinated” have yet to be verified.
