Interior Secretary Eduardo Año. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The rate of index crimes, particularly theft, has gone up slightly since Alert Level 1 — the most lenient COVID-19 alert level — was implemented nationwide, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Sunday.
There has been an observed uptick in pickpockets and snatchers since the lifting of COVID restrictions for the first time in two years since the start of the pandemic, he said in a radio interview, without citing statistics.
“Maybe because people are going out more to the malls, markets, there has been an increase in pickpockets,” he said.
“The public should exercise caution when going out to shop and heading to business establishments. But our [police officers] are ready. Don’t hesitate to report to them because they will act on it immediately,” he said.
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