Money and personal belongings of car owners were carted away by alleged “basag-kotse” suspects in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.

In Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, owners of two vehicles parked in Purok 2 Southern Poblacion were shocked to find the windows of their vehicles smashed on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

The car doors were opened and their valuables such as wallets and bags containing money, laptops, ATM cards, and other belongings were already missing.

On the same day, another incident of “bukas-kotse” modus was reported in Barangay Gimangpang, Initiao, Misamis Oriental.

The vehicle’s windows were also broken, and the money, ATM cards, and other valuables of the owner were also carted away by the suspects.

“Sa atong pag-conduct og investigation atong na-identify ang maong suspetsado ug atong nakita didto nga kini siya ang iyang modus nakasakay kini siya og motorsiklo ug along the way sa iyang pag-travel og aduna siyay makita unattended or mga parked vehicle gapangita na siya og opportunity,” Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) Spokesperson, Major Joann Navarro, said.

Because of these incidents, the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) urged the public to be vigilant with their belongings, especially when leaving items inside their vehicles.

“Maglisod gyud kita tungod kay diretso man nila nga ma-open paspas ang lihok ani nga mga suspetsado busa dili nato pasagdan nga maka-penetrate sila sa Cagayan de Oro mismo,” COCPO Spokesperson, Capt. Emilita Simon, said.