‘Pahiyas’ festival goers fall victim to pickpockets, lose phones
THE PAHIYAS Festival in Quezon, one of the province’s main tourist attractions. (PHOTO BY DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON)
LUCENA CITY, Quezon – At least 10 persons fell victim to pickpockets at the height of the “Pahiyas” festival in
Lucban town on Monday, police said Tuesday.
Chief Insp. Alejandro Onquit, Lucban police chief, said the victims lost mobile phones, cash and assorted personal belongings to thieves. But some of the victims did not bother to report the incidents to the police.
Most of the victims lost their belongings during the festival parade, religious procession and while they were busy admiring the decorations of houses.
Operatives arrested three suspects – Jesusa Cagurangan, 49; Lilian Gumangan, 33; and Joel Parrocho, 25, all residents of Barangay Santolan in Pasig City – in Barangay 9 shortly before midnight. Police recovered 14 units of different brands of mobile phones from the suspects, some of which were returned to their owners.
Onquit called on other theft victims to recover their lost valuables and file criminal complaints against the suspects.
An estimated five million visitors came for the Pahiyas festival and the feast of Lucban patron saint San Isidro de Labrador.
More than 250 policemen assisted by hundreds of volunteers were deployed in strategic parts of the town for the festival. SFM
