My bag was slashed. Then my wallet was gone.

I am a commuter. I take a tricycle, ride a jeep, then ride a bus to go to work, every single time. Today was no different. I rode the bus at Letre Road in Malabon. I got a seat somewhere in the middle. I always take the window seat of the two-seater side of the bus. My fare was collected by the bus conductor. Nearing Monumento, a lady, sat beside me. She was texting and talking to someone so I didn't pay much attention to her. Then I saw the bus inspector checking bus tickets of the passengers. Instinctively, I opened my bag then got my tickets from my wallet. After this, I hugged my bag again. I always hug my bag all throughout my journey. And my wallet was positioned in such a way that it was on my stomach side. Precautionary measures, you know. Then I fell asleep like I always do. I remember the bus was nearing Meralco in Munoz when I dozed off. I woke up in MRT Trinoma Station. I realized that a guy was already my seat mate. I didn't mind really. Although I noticed that he has a tattoo in his right upper arm. And he stinks, like that of a man who hasn't taken a bath for days. And he was not moving, just dead-staring, like in a trance. Still I didn't pay attention. Reaching Quezon Avenue MRT Station, I excused myself. He let me pass. I noticed that there was a man sitting on the other side. I felt they exude the same vibe. Still, I didn't care. I went down the bus and thought I would buy boiled bananas and corn. As I approached the vendor, I opened my bag and realized my wallet was gone. I knew I was pick pocketed. I was racking my brains how it was done. I inspected my bag. And saw a slash, it was so well-done. It was so pro.

Here's my theory. This modus operandi was done by three people.  A lookout (the lady), the executor (the guy beside me), and a back-up (the man sitting on the other side). All of them are already in the bus. The lady looks for a target. Then tips it off to the executor. When the coast is clear. The lady transfers seats or gets down the bus. The executor moves in for the kill. The back-up covers up for the executor. He can either be a distractor or a protector.

My favorite 400-peso-bought-from-168 bag has been mutilated. And my wallet that has cash, credit cards, ATM and IDs was taken away from me. It was gone without me realizing it. I was glad that I have money stashed somewhere. And I have my other valuables in another pouch. And my phone was on a different side. I knew I can't do anything about it, probably I wouldn't get anything back. But I must write what happened to me so other people would be warned. So that you'll learn something from my experience. I learned a lot too.

These might help you:
1. Divide your valuables in different pouches or containers. This way, if something like this happens, not everything will be amassed.

2. It would be nice if your bag has a strap that you can latch in your wallet or your most valuable pouch.

3. Be alert and mindful of your surroundings. Honestly, I must be blamed for being careless. I admit that I'm masa - Masandal Tulog. And for that I exposed myself as an easy target for bad people. I can't promise to stay awake all the time. But I promise to try. 

4. Make a photocopy of all your IDs. A friend mentioned this. This way, even if you lost the original, you have a back up and it would be easier to report since you have copies on file.

5. Count your blessings. I'm glad that I woke up at Trinoma. A friend mentioned that he probably wasn't done getting stuff from me but he was stopped by my waking up.  I was glad that I found out about it when I went down the bus. I would have screamed "my bag was slashed!" and that would have made everything more dangerous. There were a long list of "buti na lang."  And they came in handy when I started to question, "Why did it happen to me?"

6. Pray for guidance and protection.  I must say that what happened to me was traumatic but it wouldn't stop me from commuting or riding the bus again.  I can only move on from this through faith that whatever happens to me, the Lord has my best intentions.

7. Also, if you have credit cards and ATMs that were taken away together with your wallet, call all your card providers. And report that you've lost your cards. This way your card would be blocked and no one would be able to use them.

I hope none of this would ever happen to anyone.  But if it does, I hope he or she wouldn't be traumatized in a manner that would make him or her paralyzed. Yesterday, my bag was slashed. And some bad guys schemed to steal something that was mine. And they succeeded. But there were still a lot to feel grateful for.  Please be careful. And take care.