Why are there many Pinoys stealing around Manila ( ( For Pinoys ) )?

Question

Since we arrived back home in Philippines, my dad warned me about many stealers here. And I feel like I don't really want to stay here. I know it's true.. but why are Pinoys stealing?! ( ( Do Pinoys steal more from foreigners & from us "Balikbayans"? ) )

Answer 1

if you're not comfortable in manila. just tell your dad and stay home. no need to come over. you're one of those "balik yabang"

Answer 2

Poverty, pure and simple. Our economy is so bad that the minimum wage can barely provide for one person let alone an entire family. If you're lucky, your parents are well off and you can afford some luxuries. But the majority of people in the provinces are drawn to the cities because it's easier to steal cellphones than work at a job that won't pay enough.

If foreigners and "balikbayans" are targets it's probably because thieves think they're carrying dollars. It's probably easier to steal from them because they won't know how to ask for help. Part of it is also that they think you're so well off that a little money lost won't ruin your life. It's simple economics and not some racial or social bias against balikbayans. They go where the money is.

That said, there's a very small portion of the population who can afford to lead a very comfortable life. We're not all poor. Strangely enough, I can walk any street in Manila and not feel threatened. I've never been held up. Just don't walk around "clueless" and you should be fine. An easy "mark" is an easy "mark" no matter where you are in the world.


Edit: Hahah...checked you profile and found out you were 12 and bagong tuli...

Answer 3

It doesn't matter whether you're a balikbayan or not. Filipinos that are poor and have no other way of getting money arethe ones who steals. Life in the Philippines is hard. even if you're smart the least you can get for a pay check as an average employee is only 10k pesos and that's 200 dollars for a month. so imagine what you can do with that amount for the whole month knowing that everything is expensive in the Philippines.

Answer 4

i am from malaysia and spent 12 days in manila mostly alone. i tried all modes of public transportation- tricycle, jeepneys, bus, cab, mrt, lrt. i was never robbed. i walk around in back alleys in makati and ortigas, ayala alone during the day and it was ok. the only "off" was this tricycle owner charged me P60 for usually a P30 ride. because of his stupid tricycle engine. i dont want to argue with him i just pay to avoid further problem. i've never been robbed straight. just a little problem when i was robbed and ripped "unconciously" by a pinay. but it's not that much just it left a deep wound and scar and gave bad name to the philippines. just forget it because i consider it as a tough lesson in life.

in reality yes many people in manila are poor. i was warned by my pinoy friend not to txt openly because somebody might grab ur cellphone and run away with it.

my tip is..just be like a local. dont look so much like a tourist or balikbayan. it's same all over the world

Answer 5

I dunno... When we went back to the Phils they told me not to speak in public (cuz I don't speak tagalog and my english would be a giveaway that we were foreigners).

But the whole month I was there I did not experience anything unusual. I felt completely safe. We took public transportation including... Jeepneys, tricycles, buses, taxis, and yes... even a "Calessa" horse & carriage. We did not know where we were going and just depended on the taxi drivers to take us there. For the most part... we were not ripped off... the fares were pretty consistant so we know we were charged the correct amounts.
In the malls, obviously the salespeople did not haggle that much with us cuz they know we can buy at the regular price but I don't consider that ripping us off.
I had lots of fun... stop worrying about being mugged... just keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings... (People can get mugged anywhere, not just in manila).

Answer 6

All of us can become victims. I am a Filipino and I can be a victim. This doesn't only happen in Manila but it happens everywhere for the reason that this is how other people can get by with a life called poor. It's too sad learning about this reality but don't worry that much. Actually, the same thing happens wherever you go. Feel the spirit of coming back to your native land. Feel free but you just have to be careful..

Answer 7

poverty is the main reason... well, it happens everywhere else and all over the world, poverty is singled out as the main reason.

it's shameful, i admit. i'm a Filipino... currently living here. but one thing is for certain, it helps filipinos to be alert at all times... we tend to be cautious and non-exuberant of our jewelry, celphones, the usual targets of "snatchers" (mang-aagaw) or "pickpockets" (mandurukot)... even holduppers...

everyone is a target. depending on how you look, your get-up, doesn't matter if you're a foreigner, a balikbayan, or even a commom countrymen, sh*t happens.... blame it on the faltering economy, blame it on poverty... blame the politicians, blame the times.. remember, crime abounds wherever one is, no matter who you are or where you are. just because you inquire about it doesn't mean it's really common here, that we're not trying to put an end to it. we do... but due to an impoverished state... we have to accept such ugly pill of reality... ciao.

Answer 8

Cheating and stealing is a way of life in the Philippines. Filipinos will steal from anyone anytime. My wife is 100 % Filipina and she has been robbed 5 times in one year. And it is not because they are poor. I grew up in poverty and I never stole from people. It is because they are lazy .

Answer 9

I can say that foreigners and Balikbayans are easy target coz they wear flashy clothes, jewelries and accessories, a clear give away to muggers. Hence makes them target for pickpockets, mugging and snatching.

Answer 10

The "Steelers" are currently in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania--not in Manila.

I have trouble believing you are a "Balikbayan" because "stealer" is not a recognized word in the American english language. Then again more Americans are functionally illiterate, so it does make some sense. Is your real name Forrest? Forrest Gump?

Answer 11

I hate filipinos who hate who they're. those bunch of ignorant pricks like esoj. there is sweet issues being a pinoy, that we are able to be happy with and likewise undesirable issues which makes me unhappy or often mad. in spite of those faults we've, between different Asian international locations, Filipinos continues to be the perfect people in asia & interior the international. :D I dont like pinakbet & kare-kare, leftist politicians, & rallies w/c is likewise backed by making use of leftist no-good self-provider kurakots politicians & Estrada (Duhh, he's been got here upon to blame of graph & corruption and not in penal complex! And nevertheless denying he's Velarde and the subject of his possession of Boracay Mansion). and that i admire each and every of the vacationer spots interior the philippines.