3 OFWs fall victim to Salisi Gang

Three overseas Filipino workers from Kuwait who were set to return to their families in General Santos City fell victim to the infamous "salisi" modus operandi.

According to a report on Unang Balita by Vonne Aquino on Thursday, the three victims said that upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 on Wednesday, the suspect who posed as an OFW approached them and introduced herself as Gabriel Rut.

Since their flight going home to the province was still on the following day, the suspect invited the victims to check-in a hotel in Pasay City to rest.

"Siya 'yung nag-suggest na maghanap kami ng hotel na ma-afford namin para mag-chip in-chip in na lang kami," one of the victims said.

When they arrived at the hotel, they decided to go to a mall in Pasay. This was when the suspect urged them to leave their cellphones and money.

"Sabi niya, 'Huwag na kayong magdala ng malaking pera niyo.' Sabi niya, ''Yung pocket money lang kasi may mga snatcher-snatcher.' Sabi niya, ''Yung cellphone niyo iwan niyo na lang.' Tapos iniwan din po namin 'yung mga cellphone namin," the victim said.

The victims said they initially trusted the suspect as the latter also left her phone in their hotel room.

Upon their arrival at the mall, the suspect supposedly gave them money for them to order food and told them that she will just withdraw money at an ATM.

The victims then started to have doubts about the suspect when it turned out to be a long wait. They only discovered that the suspect took their belongings when they returned to the hotel.

The suspect took the victims' cash, at least nine cellphones, perfumes, chocolates and other personal belongings.

Closed-circuit television footage showed the suspect leaving the hotel with the stolen gadgets, cash, and other belongings. She was even helped by hotel personnel who thought the bags were all hers.

"Ang laki-laki ng kinuha niya sa akin. Kahit isang libo, hindi niya itinira para lang pamasahe ko pa-GenSan," another victim said.

"'Yung pera ko pinaghirapan ko 'yun. Naglilinis ako ng buong bahay nila para makasahod ako tapos 'yun," she added.

Another victim said that the suspect stole at least P14,000, saying that it was supposed to be used for the tuition of her children.

"Salbahe siya. Ang pera namin na pinaghirapan kunin niya lahat," she said.

"Dugo't pawis ko 'yun eh. Two years and six months ko 'yung pinaghirapan. Pinaghandaan ko talaga ang pag-uwi ko," another victim said. "Mag-enjoy lang siya ngayon pero hindi man natutulog ang Diyos."

Authorities are still conducting follow-up operations to arrest the suspect. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News