TV exec loses valuables to smooth-talking thief inside QC home

MANILA, Philippines—The robbery looked like a scene from a telenovela.

An executive producer of GMA-7 television network, Michelle Borja, 35, was robbed in her own home on 11th Jamboree Street, Sacred Heart, Quezon City, on Sunday, after a thief gained access to her house by pretending to know her workmate.

The “smooth-talking robber” had no weapon but managed to take her iPhone, iPad and wallet containing P50,000, flexicard with 150,000 cash, various credit and ATM cards on Sunday morning while she left him momentarily inside the house. The man then sped away on a black motorcycle with control no. 8813.

The still unidentified man claimed to be a nephew of a landowner searching for Borja’s friend, another executive producer named “Helen.” The man asked for help to track Helen down because she allegedly owed him a large amount.

Investigator Senior Police Officer 1 John Sales of Kamuning Police Station said that when the victim filed her complaint with the police on Monday, she seemed to be in a daze—almost “hypnotized”— by the man who was described to be in his early 40s, of stocky build, with brown complexion. The victim, however, could not give the estimated height but remembered him to be “decent-looking,” wearing a polo and jacket.

“The suspect must have done his research. He knew some details about Borja and her friend,” said Sales. The police also warned residents to be more cautious in dealing with strangers who drop names to get inside homes, especially in this long weekend when people are expected to be at home or on vacation.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer tried to interview Borja by phone but she was not answering calls.