Homeless 68-year-old a frequent victim of theft, says barangay

A 68-year-old woman living on the streets of Caloocan has been robbed of her meager possessions at least four times.

In Darlene Cay’s report on “24 Oras,” a man can be seen on CCTV footage stealing Milagros Bautista’s wallet from her bag while she slept under a footbridge on the corner of EDSA and Tirona Street on Tuesday midnight.

LOOK: Ito si nanay Milagros Bautista, ang 68-year-old na mangangalakal na ninakawan sa Barangay 138, Caloocan. Kahit daw may edad na siya at mag-isa lang namumuhay, nagsisikap daw siyang mangalakal at di nanlilimos. Kaya di raw niya akalaing nanakawan pa siya. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/LrTc5ZgWx5

— Darlene Cay (@DarleneCay) July 22, 2020

Barangay 138 officials said that was not the first time thieves stole from Bautista.

“Siguro tatlo, pangatlong beses nang nanakawan ‘yun. At least naman na-recover namin,” barangay staffer Noah Cayat said.

He added that varying individuals have stolen from Bautista.

“‘Yung iba siguro kapit patalim, kahit sino na lang ‘yung pinapatos,” he added.

During the interview, the barangay official noticed another male attempting to steal from Bautista through the CCTV monitor. The footage showed the thief taking her bag.

Authorities quickly went to Bautista and found the suspect. When they checked the bag, they found her items.

“Akin to, eh. Magnanakaw ka! Anuhin niyo ‘yan, akin to, eh. Pati ‘yung radyo ko nawala. Eto, akin ‘to,” she said.

Bautista said she did not expect people to take advantage of her situation.

“Ay Diyos ko, patawarin ako ng Panginoon. Ako pa ang ninanakawan,” she said.

Though already old and  homeless, Bautista said she does not beg for alms and instead peddles items. She said she sometimes earns P50, which she saves up. 

“Kung mamatay man ako, maraming nag-bibigay sa akin ng pera. Hindi ako nag-gaganyan. Naawa sila sa akin. Kaya lang hindi ko naman akalain [na] nanakawan ako,” Bautista said.

The suspect, Martin Caliope, later admitted that he was the one who stole from Bautista on Tuesday. Caliope said he was only tempted to steal due to his situation.

He was picked up by barangay officials to be turned over to police authorities. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News