ANGELES CITY – Travelers to South America, especially Colombia, better be warned.
A city councilor learned the hard way the prevalence of the high crime rate in the said country during his visit on Dec. 29, 2018.
Councilor Joseph “PG” G. Ponce said on Monday that he fell victim to “riding-in-tandem” criminals in Bogota who robbed him at gunpoint of his watch, cash and other personal belongings including his bag containing his IDs, debit and credit cards.
Ponce was able to come home only on Sunday after being stranded for six days in Bogota because his passport was also taken.
The councilor said he arrived at the El Dorado International Airport on Dec. 29 for a two day tour in the country’s capital city with his partner and planned to stay overnight before moving on to New York where his son was waiting for him.
He said they hailed a taxi from the airport that would bring them to their hotel. But as soon as they arrived at the hotel at around 4 p.m. local time, two men in their 30s dismounted from their motorcycles and accosted him at gunpoint and demanded that he hand over his watch, a Rolex Submariner Blue.
When he refused, one of them reportedly pistol whipped him prompting him to let go of his watch. Another spotted his bag and when he also hesitated to hand it over to him, the thief pointed his gun to his chest while putting his finger in the trigger. The holdup was over in a few minutes.
“I thought I would be killed,” said Ponce.
Ponce, a gun enthusiast, described what seemed to him at first as a fake gun that was why he hesitated in handing his belongings to the criminals. “It was a stainless .38 revķolver,” he recalled.
“But when he pistol- whipped me, I realized it was real because I felt a heavy blow,” he said while showing a bruise on his right shoulder.
To make matters worse, the police station was closed and did not open until Monday because Dec. 29 was a Saturday.
However, two policemen in motorcycles came over, after the hotel reported the robbery holdup, to make a routinary investigation, he said.
Ponce complained that the policemen easily allowed the taxi driver to go after reasoning that: “I’m just an Uber driver.” But he insisted that only the taxi driver knew what hotel they will go to.
Ponce said the police would not investigate unless a case has been filed. To further compound his problem, the Philippines has no embassy in Colombia and the nearest consulate serving the said country is the Philippine Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil which is about six hours away by plane from Bogota.
The councilor said he called up former special assistant to the president Bong Go who referred him to Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Marichu B. Mauro
Ponce said it was through the kindness of Ambassador Mauro, who entertained his call even if it was the New Year, that he was able to obtain travel documents.
Advisories
Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Elmer G. Cato said Filipinos traveling to South America, particularly Colombia, are given travel advisories on what to expect regarding different situations in those countries.
“Generally, we advise travelers to exercise a high degree of caution,” he said.
The DFA travel advisory to Colombia which is available online suggests that travelers should learn as much about Colombia before their trip from travel agents, tour operators and guide books. It even lists the emergency number in Colombia which is 123.
The advisory said “politically-driven and criminal violence is a serious problem in Colombia. Attacks, including bombings, continue to take place. Political demonstrations can occur in the capital city of Bogota and throughout the country. These can be confrontational and occasionally turn violent. Travelers should monitor local media and avoid all demonstrations.”
“There is a high risk of kidnap from both terrorist and criminal groups. While Colombians are the primary targets, foreigners can also be targeted, especially those working for (or perceived to be working for) oil, mining and related companies. Take particular care when travelling alone, using ATMs, or travelling in or near tugurios (slum areas).
Travelers should regularly reassess their security arrangements and consider carefully any travel around the country.”
Cato said crime is prevalent in Colombia as well as any big city in the world and travelers should take sensible precautions.
The DFA advisory said, “street crime is a problem in major cities, including Bogota, Medellin, Cali and Santa Marta where mugging and pickpocketing can be accompanied by violence.”
The advisory said when in Bogotá, “travelers should be vigilant in areas to the south of Candelaria and to the west of the airport road as these parts of the city are particularly dangerous. You should be cautious on city streets, especially after dark.”
It also warned that “petty crime, such as pick pocketing and bag-snatching occurs in Colombia, including at the airport in Bogotá and near hotels. Take care of your personal belongings and avoid obvious displays of wealth.”
Meanwhile, Ponce said he is running for reelection as city councilor against the wishes of his family because he just cannot turn his back from his constituents.
Ponce said he has in his care 1,200 patients undergoing dialysis treatment regularly and more than 1,000 students enrolled at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as well as those who are seeking assistance from the City Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
