TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines—A Cambodian national sought police help after allegedly being robbed by unidentified men inside a passenger bus here on Tuesday night.
Kaloh Viga, 31, of Phnom Pehn lost his belt bag containing P19,500 cash in peso and dollar denominations to thieves who allegedly slashed the pocket of his backpack.
The victim told police he was on his way to Mati City, Davao Oriental, from Davao City to visit a compatriot who had married a Filipina.
“I fell asleep on the bus and only discovered my bag had been slashed as I was getting off,” Viga said.
The 31-year old Cambodian national then reported the robbery to Tagum City police station past 6 p.m.
Viga also lost his cellular phone, and wallet containing his passport, identification cards and other important documents.
He said a police officer directed him to the house of Mayor Allan Rellon in Magugpo South village barely a kilometer from the police station to seek assistance, but guards allegedly told him the city executive was not around.
Rain-soaked and shivering, the foreigner wandered around the city plaza, until Wednesday morning when he went to a local radio station and asked for help.
“It was disappointing I lost all of my important stuff to thieves,” Viga said over Energy FM Tagum, asking the program’s anchor, Ted Cabana, to appeal for help.
“I want to go back to my compatriot living in Kidapawan (in North Cotabato), but I have no more money,” said the Cambodian.
A policeman identified as SPO1 Felomino Abe-abe went to the radio station past 7 a.m. and gave two crisp P500 bills to the grateful foreigner.
“Thank you. You’re such a good person,” the Cambodian told the cop.
Assigned as sentry at a police outpost in San Miguel village, Abe-abe said he was preparing for work when he heard about the foreigner’s predicament over the radio.
“It’s nothing,” said the cop when asked why he responded to the Cambodian’s appeal and shelled out money. “It’s better that we’re the ones helping, instead of us asking help,” he added. SM