In front of the upscale condominium Two Lafayette Square in Makati City, Philippines, a harrowing incident recently occurred: a tenant was returning home from work when they were approached by two motorcyclists attempting to rob them.
The assailants moved quickly towards the tenant's personal belongings, but fortunately, the building's security intervened in time, scaring off the criminals and preventing more severe consequences.
Although no one was injured, the sudden robbery left onlookers and residents shaken. The next day, the property management urgently issued a safety reminder to all owners, urging everyone to be more vigilant during nighttime outings.
Many Chinese who have lived in the Philippines for years choose this location for a "peace of mind" living environment. However, the emergence of motorcycle robbery incidents right at their doorsteps has plunged many into deep concern:
"We thought living here would be safe, but reality has struck us hard."
Even more shocking, just a day later, near 9th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), an armed robbery occurred. Four criminals brazenly robbed two Korean tourists at gunpoint, taking a large amount of cash and luxury goods, with a ruthless and fearless demeanor.
The South Korean Embassy in the Philippines quickly issued a warning, advising Korean expatriates: "Security in many parts of Manila has noticeably deteriorated; please avoid going out at night unless necessary and stay away from sparsely populated areas."
In response to the continuous security incidents, the police have increased patrols in commercial areas such as Makati and BGC. Relevant agencies also urge the public to remain alert, avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuable items, and to report incidents promptly and cooperate with investigations.
It's not just robbery; it's a deep anxiety within the Chinese community
For Chinese who have long lived and worked in the Philippines, these incidents reveal deeper underlying anxieties:
Areas once considered "safe" like Makati and BGC are now frequently experiencing robberies;
Motorcycle thieves and armed criminals have set their sights on the entrances of upscale communities;
Even if security personnel are diligent, they may not always be able to prevent crimes;
Today's victims are others, but tomorrow it could be me or you.
A reader commented: "The news seems distant until terror strikes at the foot of our own building, and the panic is indescribable."
A friend of mine also experienced a similar incident: while walking on the streets of Makati, they were suddenly attacked and robbed by a group of Filipinos, losing their phone and wallet to overwhelming numbers, unable to resist.
Safety cannot solely rely on being in a "good area"
Makati is no longer the safe corner of the city it once was. Reality tells us that a sense of security cannot be automatically obtained by living in a certain area.
In recent years, many Chinese businesses, especially those in the restaurant, supermarket, and wholesale industries, have quietly withdrawn from the Philippines, many having experienced robberies or being targeted. The worsening security situation is a trend, not an isolated incident.
In the face of all this, we cannot be numb; only by raising our awareness and strengthening our own preventive measures can we continue to live in the Philippines.
