What would you do when you encounter a SNATCHER?
By maean_19
@maean_19 (4655)
Philippines
September 27, 2007 10:02pm CST
Danger in our lives is everywhere. It is hard to trust strangers. You'll never know what to expect in ou daily lives.
One of those unexpected happenings is when you encounter a snatcher. That's rampant to urban areas especially on some particular areas of metro manila like that of Baclaran, Quiapo, Tutuban, Divisoria, Aurora Blvd, and others.
Once in Tutuban, I was with my boyfriend and a friend when I heard someone shouting. Yes, there's a snatcher, who passed through me, but it's not me, who's the victim.
A lady was crying so hard when her bag was snatched. I did not bother to do anything to stop the snatcher because am afraid the attention will be on me, which is more risky. With what happened, my boyfriend advised me not to go to Tutuban or Divisoria alone, especially that there's a big risk on my part to be a victim.
What about you? What would you do when you encounter a snatcher whether a bystander or as a victim?
Will you help the victim to catch the snatcher? Will you fight back? Or just give what was taken from you?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@joshboz (1209)
• Australia
1 Oct 07
first if his alone ill try to fight him physically, but if he is armed with weapons ill just try to ran away or call the attention of other bystanders or people in that vicinity. ill try to report also the incident to the nearest police precinct or station.
2 people like this
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
29 Sep 07
i actually dont know what to do in a situation like this, i guess there wouldnt be much i could do really, if i was to chase the person (i cant run fast lol) and im not very strong so i wouldnt have any chance at all, so i guess just yell out like that lady did in your town and see if anyone responds, i know if my boyfriend was with me and something happened to my bag and he got hold of the person who took it then they wouldnt be very healthy afterwards lol
2 people like this
@wisedragon (2325)
• Philippines
28 Sep 07
That depends. If you're gonna fight back by yourself it might be better to just take a good look at the snatcher then report him immediately to the police.
But if I'm with a group of guys who are willing to gang up on the snatcher, then we'll certainly beat him up black and blue.
@beauty_ph (2749)
• Philippines
28 Sep 07
I admit, this is a sad reality in the Philippines, a lot of snatchers are scattered within the country.
For me it is just right not to react, just like what you did, because most of the snatchers have a lot of back-ups and look-outs, because it is very risky as what you said and too dangerous for us woman.
We are residing at my parents house since I was born. I trusted everyone around. It is indeed a peaceful place and notorious snatchers can't be found.
One morning, I decided to accompany my mother to pay our bills and some loans at the bank. I placed my cellphone inside my mother's bag. We walk the street, the normal thing we do to go get a ride. Unfortunately, two snatchers riding a motorbike or single motor cycle from our back passed by and snatcher my mother's bag.
I know some amount of money was lost, but I am happy to know that my mother and I were ok. I am just sad how I become paranoid about our place and thinking of the situation again and again.
If I have the martial arts knowledge, I would try to stop this snatchers and fight at them.
@maean_19 (4655)
• Philippines
1 Oct 07
It is better that way than knowing something happened to you and your mom. We will just thank God that something was lost and not someone's life.
Traumatic experience like that is not that easy to be thrown away and forgotten. It takes time to be healed, the trauma, paranoia and fear. But these kept as became more stronger and cautious the next time we encounter the same thing.
1 person likes this
@beauty_ph (2749)
• Philippines
2 Oct 07
You are right my friend, it was a traumatic experience for me.
I am glad to see the positive side of what had happened. People around our place are not more vigilant.
I also thank God that I was able to have a forgiving heart and was able to move on.
I think the experience was a blessing and not something else. Yes it made me stronger and more faithful.
God bless!
1 person likes this
@gracious_grazie (39)
• Philippines
28 Sep 07
In my opinion I may say that I can't do anything impulsively like helping the victim or I may be the victim It's easy for anybody saying that they would help or run after the snatcher for they are not on the actual situation. What if they are the one on the foot of the victim would they do the same risking their lives for you no I don't think so. It's better to avoid crowded places and never to wear jewelries and other valuable things that may provoke those stone hearted snatcher.
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