In a crowd or anywhere, how do you safeguard yourself from pickpockets/robbers?  

Hi Wickedlove,
You have "installed" good security measures for yourself! Bigger bags really attract these robbers' attention most especially those shoulder and hand bags. And, in our place, these pickpockets have "metamorphosed" into experts and professionals in their own trade. A daughter's classmate cried because she lost a big amount of money and all important IDs inside her wallet when a seatmate succeeded in slashing her bag without the slightest hint while the robber undertook it. She noticed about it after she disembarked from the jeepney.

When I was younger, we were often amused seeing old women taking money (wrapped in handkerchief) pinned from inside their undershirt. That precautionary measure practiced by the old women in the past is now worth taking into mind considering the present level of criminality here.

Hi Tingtong,
Is it maybe because you are situated in a less risky place?
With lots of news about pickpockets, robberies and snatching in our place, the feeling of not being afraid or being confident walking around seems not to work anymore. We have to be extra careful with our personal belongings and be vigilant with the surroundings. This usually happens in public markets and other crowded places. There is lesser incidence in malls and churches but it is sad that they still happen.

hi, it is not because I'm living in a safer place. It is my attitude. May be even the robbers too can do face reading. If they feel the person is afraid of losing some valuables, the robber will try his luck on such persons.

Hahaha, maybe so. They will find their next victim elsewhere.

Hi Bellis,
Having keys readied does not waste time for us to look for them. Some incidents of robberies happen in car parks just as people are about to open their cars. Taking time to look into our bags for the keys allow these robbers to pull their acts. That is why some people here have remote control keys installed in their cars. I also notice some people having special zipped compartments in their belts for their bills.

Thanks for sharing.

Hi Bingchen,
Good idea there. It is always good to put money and valuables in a safe place. What I do when I go out, I do not put all my money in one place. I separate them in different pockets, purse or bag's pockets. That way, I still have some money in case I become victim to pickpockets.

It is a good thing to stay away from persons you are suspicious of.

Hi Astonysh,
You have very very good tips here. These are very helpful ones for everyone. It is always better to be cautious with our surroundings and careful with our belongings. You are right. These pickpockets are cowards and a little observation that they are noticed, they stay away from us. But there are really some who carry weapons with them. When they get noticed and pushed to the edge, they use their weapons. There are incidents where people were shot or stabbed because they fought for their bags, cellphones and other valuables. It is sad but it is happening here.

maybe your part of the world is a bit more violent than they are here. It is almost impossible to get hold of guns, and I have not heard any tales of them carrying knives (in the UK, knives might be another matter).

They can easily get hold of unlicensed guns here. There are licensed gun factories here whose businesses are even thriving. It has since been a continuous fight against these people who own these guns. Maybe they manage to buy another one, once caught.

Hi Rlcauilan,
Good idea. It would be better to place them inside the FRONT pockets. If your jeans, pants or skirts are tight, you will easily notice if somebody's hands, and not yours (lol), are there. Some expert pickpockets still manage to pick from tight pockets. Being alert and careful are important.

Hi Joanna,
I notice that we live in the same city. There are places which are known to be havens of pickpockets and robbers. It is better to stay away from these places. It really helps to hold close and tight our bags while walking or while in a public jeepney. We should be alert of our surroundings, too.

Yeah, we need to. I think there's no safe place nowadays because even though we are at our own homes, robbers would tend to do something bad. I mean, we just need to be careful always and would not use our cellphones in public places especially in Colon area and in Carbon area as well. I studied in USJ-R and I am glad that nothing happen to me for 4 years of studying there and until I graduated. We should definitely be careful always.

Hi Joannaleed,
Sorry for the late reply. I just got back to mylot today.
We both are very familiar which places that are not safe as we come from the same city. I know very well the area where you studied as it happens that I had lived with my aunt in that area near the school during my college days (though not in the same school as you mention here).

It is, in fact, very imperative for us to be careful nowadays than in the past years.
Take care of yourself.
MMT

Yes, we really know those places and we tend to take care of ourselves and our things if we are in those place. So, we should definitely be careful.

Have a great day and take care as well.

Hi Frances,
It is always better to be alert and be aware of the surroundings especially while walking alone. One should not show their valuables in public. Cellphones are the "favorite" of pickpockets. We need to put them into silent mode, too while walking or in a public jeepney. It alerts robbers who are taking the ride in the jeepney with us and it has happened that the robbers ask for it at gunpoint.

Hi Hazeldesosa,
That is a good idea. People should not, in any way, "show" that they have valuables with them while walking. Here, there are places which are known to be havens of pickpockets and robbers. Their attention is easily driven to people who "exhibit" (purposely or unknowingly), things which are the objects of the robbers' eye. These items are usually cellphones, purses, wallets, branded sunglasses, etc.

Hi Survajar,
You have a good way to safeguard yourself from pickpockets. I do that at times, too when I decide not to bring any handbag. I put my money separately in different pockets or in my shoes, so that in case I become victim (which I am not ever praying) of pickpockets, I still have money to bring me home.

A lot of guys here carry handbags, backpacks, or shoulder bags with them.