Authorities cautioned homeowners, especially senior citizens, against talking to strangers after an elderly woman and her grandchildren were victimized by a “birthday cake modus.”
Reports said that a 69-years-old grandmother and her two grandchildren in Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City, were victimized by a group that pretended to be from the local government and claimed they had a birthday cake to be given to the elderly.
On Tuesday, April 7, two female individuals approached their house and said that the local government had a “birthday cake” for the senior citizen.
Her grandchildren were also puzzled as to why she let them into the house.
Police suspected that the criminals had been operating it for some time, as they were able to sweet-talk the victim.
Once the female individuals were granted access to the house, four other male individuals entered, tied them up, and threatened to shoot them.
The suspects remained inside the house for almost two hours and even ate their food.
They stole the family car, two motorcycles, cash and other belongings of the victims, with all items amounting to over P1 million.
The suspects also switched vehicles by renting a car in an attempt to evade the police.
Authorities were able to arrest a 37-year-old male driver. Police recovered some of the stolen items, as well as a firearm without proper documentation.
The driver claimed he was only invited to drive by his “new friends.”
“Tropa-tropa, kaibigan-kaibigan, ikaw na mag-drive… ID mo na ‘yung gamitin. Hindi ko alam na may modus na ganoon. Sana makita nila ‘yung paghihirap ko dito, sana sumuko na din sila sa ginawa nilang katarantaduhan kasi ako ang kawawa eh,” the driver said.
He will face charges of robbery, carnapping and illegal possession of firearms.
Police also cautioned those staying in houses, especially senior citizens, to avoid talking to or letting in strangers without proper verification, even if they are offering a “gift.”
Meanwhile, authorities are still pursuing five other accomplices who managed to escape.
The incident alarmed some Filipinos, who expressed their reactions in the comments section.
“Kaya ako, kahit sino mag-tao po sa gamit [sic] namin, ‘di ako basta nagbubukas, lalo ‘di ko kilala,” a Facebook user wrote.
“Mas madami talaga na-sa-scam na mga mahilig sa libre, lalo na ‘yung nanalo sila kahit wala naman sinasalihan,” another commented.
“Kaya mahirap talaga ‘pag mahilig sa libre,” a different Fascebook user wrote.
“Nako po, ‘birthday cake.’ Mag-iingat ang lahat, Diyos ko po,” another Pinoy commented.
Apart from being wary of individuals, authorities also advised the public to verify with the barangay whether individuals claiming to be working in the local government are indeed so.
