'Salisi' modus turns victims into suspects by accusing them of theft

Buyer beware! A pair of bloggers almost fell to a new variant of the old “Salisi” modus operandi by thieves in Recto last Saturday, where a fake accusation almost led to the loss of their belongings, reported “Balitanghali” on Sunday.

 

The pair were on their way home from covering an event when blogger Carlo Valenzona decided to look for a phone accessory. After shopkeep Jabar Macaambang said he had no case for his phone, Valenzona walked away with fellow blogger John Cueto, only to be accused of stealing Macaambang's cellphone.

 

"Wala pa yatang sampung [hakbang] nilapitan kami, hinarang kami. Sabi niya, 'Kinuha mo cellphone ko'. Nagulat ako. 'Anong kinuha? 'Di ko kinuha 'yung cellphone mo.' Sabi niya, 'Akin na 'yung bag mo, buksan natin," said Valenzona.

 

When the shopkeep refused to ask the police to witness their negotiation, Cueto got suspicious. He was right to doubt Macaambang's story, for the youth tried to snatch Valenzona's bag moments later. Luckily, a traffic enforcer saw the scuffle and took them to PCP Aligue Manila, where Macaambang was put in a cell.

 

"Hindi naman talaga sila 'yung nagtitinda 'dun eh. Meron lang silang nagtitinda 'dun. 'Pag nakikita nila 'yung taong bibiktimahin nila, ginagawan na nila ng ganun. Pilit nilang aagawin 'yung bag, minsan kukunin 'yung mga cellphone, kukunin 'yung pera, gugulpihin pa," explained P/Sr. Insp. William Santos, station commander.

 

"Humihingi po ako ng pasensya sa kanila. Alam ko pong ako 'yung mali. Kung alam ko lang ito ang mangyayari sa 'kin, 'di ko po 'yun gagawin," said Macaambang who, despite expressing sorrow over getting jailed, denied that he tried to rob the bloggers.

 

Last Friday, another incident of unique rogue ops was uncovered. The son of a Caloocan government official became the victim of a thief when his driver's license was stolen off his Facebook account. 

 

The college student only found out that his info was stolen when another college student asked for his money back, after the thief used his identity to swindle P3,500 off the latter. 

 

“Investigative Documentaries” put out an infographic on November 26, explaining how the "salisi" method works in three different situations, and how people may avoid being victimized by this operation. 

 

In all three reports, readers are cautioned and asked to be aware of their surroundings, whether it be in real life or cyberspace. — Rie Takumi / KDM, GMA News