It all began with an iPhone...

March was when my son celebrated his 15th birthday, and I got him an iPhone. He just loved it. Who wouldn't?

I celebrated my birthday in July, and my wife made me very happy when she bought me an iPad.





















My daughter's birthday was in August so I got her an iPod Touch.

My wife's birthday arrived so for her birthday I got her an iRon.

It was around then that the fight started . . .

What my wife failed to recognize is that the iRon can be integrated into the home network with the iWash, iCook and iClean. This, however, inevitably activates the iNag reminder service.

I should be out of the hospital by Friday! Geeezzzz go figure!

People Power in the Middle East – Déjà vu

By Perry Diaz

 
EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986

The people power revolution in Egypt that forced Hosni Mubarak to resign as president reminds me of the 1986 people power revolution – also known as EDSA, the acronym of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue where the people converged – that deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines.  Indeed, the two authoritarian rulers had a lot in common: they plundered their country and caused extreme misery to the people.

The EDSA revolution was where “people power” started.  Three years later, people power revolutions sprouted in Eastern Europe where puppets of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) ruled since the end of World War II.  And like dominoes, they collapsed followed by the disintegration of the colossal USSR when — one by one – the Soviet republics seceded and declared independence from Mother Russia.  And whatever was left of her was transformed into a democracy patterned after the parliamentary system favored by most western democracies.

Twenty years later, people power mutated – and mushroomed — in the Arab world where dissent was dealt harshly by authoritarian regimes controlled by corrupt dictators.

It all began in Tunisia on December 17, 2010 when a female municipal official confiscated the wares of a street vendor, Mohammed Ben Bouazizi.  Humiliated, Bouazizi set himself on fire, which spontaneously sparked demonstrations and riots and spread like wild fire throughout the country. Bouazizi survived from the self-immolation; however, he died from complications on January 4, 2011.

 
Egyptian People Power Revolution in 2011

Déjà vu

Then all hell broke loose! The protestors turned their anger on then-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife, Leila Trabelsi.  News reports said that the “excesses” of Trabelsi – known as Tunisia’s “Imelda Marcos” – and her family “helped fuel the popular uprising that ended the 23-year rule of her husband.”  “The clan of Trabelsi, a one-time hairdresser who rose to become Tunisia’s most influential woman, was widely despised as the ultimate symbol of corruption and excess,” the report stated.  On January 14, 2011, Ben Ali stepped down from power and the couple an their family fled the country.

And like the people power revolution in the Philippines in 1986, the people power revolution in Tunisia set in motion a people’s movement to oust authoritarian regimes in the Middle East. The autocratic rulers tried to offer concessions; but the time for small concessions was over.  The time for change has come.

After the Tunisian revolution, the Egyptians found the courage to replicate the success of the Tunisians.  On January 25, 2011, barely 11 days after the Tunisian dictator stepped down and coinciding with the Egypt’s National Police Day, tens of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets of Cairo and other cities to demand the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and an end to corruption.   

On February 11, 2011, after a futile attempt to stay in power, Mubarak resigned and handed power to the military.  To restore order, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces declared martial law to calm down the national mood.  Field Marshal Mohammed Tantawi said that the temporary military rule would end when new elections will be held in six months.

The following day, February 12, emboldened by the events in Tunisia and Egypt, hundreds of protesters poured into Algiers, Algeria for a pro-democracy rally.  They demanded the ouster of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who ruled the country with an iron hand since 1999.   

And across the Middle East -- from Bahrein and Yemen to Iran -- pro-democracy rallies are being held.  In Tehran, Iran, an opposition march was held last February 14, in solidarity with the Egyptian people.   

What’s happening in Iran today is in contrast to the uprising that toppled Shah Pahlavi on February 11, 1979.  Islamic fundamentalists led the 1979 revolution but this time around the opposition appears to be secular and non-clerical just like their victorious counterparts in Tunisia and Egypt. 

Wind of change

While a strong “wind of change” is blowing across the Middle East, the “change” that Filipinos fought for in a peaceful presidential election last May 10, 2010 has come to a standstill.  The solidly entrenched forces of “status quo” are repelling every move by President Benigno Aquino III to fight corruption and institute reforms.  It’s ironic that Aquino, who was swept to power on the crest of his parents’ popularity with the masses, has yet to fulfill his promise of “change” – not because of his unwillingness to do so but because of his apparent lack of drive to pursue it.  To bring about a change, Aquino has to be a Lee Kuan Yew and a Rambo all rolled into one. 

With corruption still running high in the government including the humongous Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the recent Senate investigation into allegations of corruption involving former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s AFP chiefs of staff hit a snag when former Chief of Staff Gen. Angelo Reyes committed suicide in front of his parents’ graves last February 8, 2011.  However, the Senate investigation continues.  If Reyes or any of his family members were exonerated of corruption, then that would clear his name and remove the stigma that compelled him to take his own life.

Democracy

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25th, let’s not forget that the EDSA Revolution was all about the restoration of the country’s democracy.   

But what exactly is democracy?  Can anyone say that our country is democratic when kleptocractic officials, whose mantra is “What’s in it for me,” run it?  Is our country democratic when those who were sworn to protect the constitution and uphold the law of the land seem to protect those who broke the law and plundered the land? Is our country democratic when those who were sworn to protect the State and the people are more interested in protecting their ill-gotten wealth?  Is our country democratic when those elected to serve their constituents are more interested in serving their own interests?

If any of these questions are answered with a “No,” then we cannot claim that there is democracy in our country. 

Heroes and rogues

But the good news is that heroes are coming out, risking their lives, to expose corruption.  Today, we have heroes in retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa; Col. Antonio Ramon Lim (who was recently promoted to full Colonel); and former State Auditor Heidi Mendoza.  I fervently hope that tomorrow there would be more Filipinos who would bring out the heroes in themselves and expose the rogues in our government.

Twenty-five years after the EDSA People Power Revolution, the Philippines is approaching a crossroad where the people would either move forward on the road to true democracy or turn around and go back to the pre-EDSA days where the corrupt reign and the people reek of poverty.

Indeed, the people have a choice.  They always do.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com) 

Heroes and Rogues

PerryScope

By Perry Diaz

Lt. Antonio Ramon Lim

First, there was one… then, another one… and then, there was a third.  One by one, they came out to expose corruption in the military.  Two brave soldiers and a courageous woman defied threats to their safety because they couldn’t take it any more.  Indeed, Lt. Col. George Rabusa (ret.), Lt. Col. Antonio Ramon “Sonny” Lim, and Heidi Mendoza are heroes in an establishment ruled by rogues.  And they’re making their voices heard loud and clear.

Encouraged by their exposé of the corruption in the military, President Benigno Aquino III took the offensive and called on the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to be “vigilant and report corrupt activities within the military.”  In effect, what Aquino did was to ask them to “bypass their superiors and even rat on them,” a move that could be disquieting to the military top brass which relies on a hierarchically structured “grievance” system in dealing with erring soldiers and officers; and at the same time maintain a rigid order of command responsibility.  Simply put, nobody would dare go over his immediate superior. To do so would be tantamount to a “death sentence” to a promotion or plum assignment. 

As an officer in active duty in the Philippine Air Force, Lim knew that his military career would be over the moment he comes out to expose his superiors.  But for whatever reason he had for coming out could only be for the good of the institution he served well since 1986 when he graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Turning point

On February 2, 2011, the 36-year-old Lim went to the Department of Justice to apply for protection under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) and for immunity from lawsuits.  The following day, he appeared before the Senate and told the senators that the security of his family — and with nine more years remaining in his military service — prevented him from coming out earlier.  And, boldly, he said, “Since the news is on the move of searching for the truth, I considered myself… I want to get involved, I will tell also the truth.” He said that his conscience persuaded him to follow the “daang matuwid” (straight path) that President Benigno Aquino III – his Commander-in-Chief – promised his administration would take.

In a written statement he read before Senate, the teary-eyed Lim collaborated Rabusa’s testimony as to how the money flowed into the possession of the AFP chiefs of staff. His personal account provided a key element in establishing the credibility of Rabusa’s exposé, which implicated former AFP Chiefs of Staff Generals Angelo Reyes, Diomedio Villanueva, and Roy Cimatu in illegally receiving money from “slush funds” taken from the Provision for Command-Directed Activities (PCDA) funds.

Bombshell

In his exposé, Rabusa – who was the budget officer at that time — accused Reyes of receiving P150 million including a P50-million “pabaon” (send-off money) when he retired as AFP Chief of Staff in 2001.   He said that he and his boss, then AFP Comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot (Garcia’s predecessor), personally delivered the money to Reyes.  Rabusa acted as the  “bagman” for Garcia and Ligot who were known as the “Comptroller Mafia.”  Rabusa said that Garcia and he “converted” – or laundered – almost P1 billion between 2000 and 2001.

Meanwhile, another witness – former state auditor Heidi Mendoza — came out when the Office of the Ombudsman indicated that the case against Garcia was weak and wouldn’t back out of the plea bargaining agreement that was negotiated with Garcia.   This prompted Mendoza to testify and spill the beans on Garcia saying that there is enough evidence to convict him of plunder.

After the three witnesses’ testimony, Rabusa informed Sen. Jinggoy Estrada that he was going to file plunder charges against Reyes, Villanueva, Cimatu, Ligot, and Garcia.

Gen. Angelo T. Reyes

Fallen warrior

Yesterday, February 8, Reyes, his two sons, and two bodyguards arrived at 7:00 AM at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City to visit his mother’s grave.  After the visit, he asked his sons to go back to their vehicle.  He also asked his bodyguards to leave him alone.  A short time later, they heard a gunshot and saw Reyes fall.  Reyes was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:32 AM.

A decorated officer with an impeccable service record, General Angelo T. Reyes took the only honorable exit for a disgraced officer; that is, to fall on his sword to redeem his honor and restore the respect for the institution that he unquestionably served with the courage of a true warrior.  But along the way to the apex of his military career, he got entangled in a corrupt system spawned by an evil government he helped empower. In the end, he was consumed by power and eventually became the casualty of the virulent corruption that has plagued the military… and the country.

Where do we go from here?

The sad denouement of the investigation into the corruption in the military would further rock a country that is already seething with anger on what’s going on in the country.  However, it could also have a positive impact that could mark the end of the culture of impunity and corruption in the military.  Indeed, it is time for the AFP to undergo a moral reconstruction to bring back its glory and regain the respect of the people it is sworn to protect.

At the end of the day, it can be said that General Angelo T. Reyes had served his country heroically but fell victim to a corrupt system at the pinnacle of his career. Let’s mourn his demise and bury him with honors.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

My Mass Money Maker Review

So, Mass Money Makers is just about to launch and it seems to like that everyone is on board.

I am sure that you will receive like ten more emails about it, but I got a sneak peek at the product, and want to give you my review.

So, what is Mass Money Makers?

It's based on a simple concept that works (and works well)...this concept is what allows us to rank on 1st page of Google within two to three weeks for just about any keyword out there...

...then we take those same rankings and get them to build massive (really massive) lists...which in turn are piped through "mass money funnels" and the end result is money.

Simple, yet very powerful. Indeed it is, and that's why they've simplified it into four core videos that are 2 to 3 hours each, where they break down everything in minute detail.

Can you get any better then that?

So in the end, I vote for Mass Money Makers. It's a great product, that really works.

If you've been looking for a way to make money online, then you really need to get in on it before the launch is completed.

When they first opened the doors, they said the software would be limited. I just got an update from them and as of now they only have 17 spots left!

I highly recommend that you get your hands on this software right now!

GO here:
http://tinyurl.com/4qdqwt6

Heidi needs and deserves the support of the people who care about the country!

Greetings of Peace! In the middle of the raging controversies that our country is facing, one glaring truth cannot simply be ignored. There is a brewing tension between good and evil and I believe now is the time to for a baptized Catholic and a Christian public servant like me to run to my mentors and seek the comfort of the church.

As many of you would know, I accepted the General Garcia case not as another audit engagement sometime in October 2004. It was a result of prayerful discernment and a series of consultation with guardians of my faith. I went beyond the call of duty and closed my eyes to my personal fears, guided by the thought that my heart is in the right place. 

The assignment just like any Christian experience is not smooth sailing. There are challenges coming from the very institutions that are supposed to protect the interest of the people. I stood firm though I cannot deny that there were several instances when convictions and beliefs simply failed to sustain me.

As history will tell, then, Ombudsman Marcelo resigned, I was left to seek help from my own office the Commission on Audit. The response is again a challenge to ordinary faith. No less than the former Chair convinced me to simply return the documents my team gathered and close the case. "Christ himself failed to save the world so how can ordinary mortals like us dream of succeeding in the fight against corruption when obviously it is a fight between good and evil." 

Perhaps I am not willing to give up my flickering hope and diminishing faith inside that I just decided to quit from a 20 year old job. In March 16, 2006, on the birth of my father who has painstakingly shown me the values of honest and dedicated public service, I filed my resignation. 

In October 2007, the state prosecutors handling the case, begged me to help the government and with minor convincing, I agreed. I appeared at Sandiganbayan for more than 16 times and in between those hearing, I felt the absence of the public support which I think is critical to cases such as this. In one instance, in open court hearing, I was astounded when the defense lawyer slapped before my face the copy of the letter of the CoA chair denying the creation of an audit team that took care of the investigation.

It's the biggest test to my faith. No less than the accused told me that I am a liar and that there will be a reckoning day for me. It is in this particular time that I sought for a God with His mighty arm that will simply strike the opponents of truth with his blazing sword. At the same time, I sought for the wounded and agonizing face of my savior so I can draw some strength and the passion to go on. I felt so alone that prayers alone are not sufficient to console me, I was then literally reaching to a God whom I can hold, I can touch, I can embrace! He did not deprive me of this longing, when you texted me on that date, I realized that God has gone high tech and invaded the virtual world. 

I thought that the challenge was ended, the moment I completed my appearances before the Sandiganbayan. I was wrong. Last March 12, 2010 I personally saw the signed plea bargain agreement but I must admit that I have been weakened by my own experience and already afraid to give up the comfortable life that I have. Still however, I searched my conscience and shared these with few trusted friends. As a consequence of my fear, we now have a seeming triumph of evil versus the truth. 

Last December 23, 2010, I filed my resignation from my current employer in response to a conscience call. It is my Christian calling that I cannot ignore that is why I went out of my comfort zone and together with my entire family heed the call to embrace this cause with the same passion when I started it. I seek your assistance, I am reaching out for help in making a united stand. Sinners as we are, I am confident that God will bless the pure longing of our 

broken heart if we are willing to make a sacrifice. 

The government that we have right now is certainly not perfect, but I think it is the only Government that we have and the government that we deserve. The plea bargain happened during the dark years of the previous administration. Together we need to inform our people, we need to make a united stand. In ending, let me express my gratitude to the only people I looked up with so much faith and respect. The recent events have shown me that the truth is unveiled not in the brilliant minds of men but only in the hearts of men burning 

with Love and Faith. 

I would like to apologize, if there are any courtesies which I have not observed. I am asking for prayers not only for my family but for the entire country. 

Marami pong salamat! 

Heidi Mendoza 

Heidi Mendoza, an Unlikely Heroine

Tony La Vina

Dean, Ateneo School of Government

     When I first met Heidi Mendoza, she impressed me as an ebullient and high-spirited person.  I have gotten to know Heidi because she is a member of the board of advisers of EHEM, an anti-corruption program based in the Ateneo School of Government where I am Dean.  She has also worked in the past as a resource person for the Affiliated Network on Social Accountability—East Asia Pacific which is also based in AsoG. I was impressed with the excellence and professionalism that characterized her work as a public accountant and an advocate of good governance.  But what I really like about Heidi is her sense of humor and readiness to laugh, including at herself.  Until lately, she has never betrayed any hint of the emotional turmoil within her. But behind this woman is an indomitable and resolute spirit that would shame even the strongest and most courageous amongst the men in this “macho” society of ours.

Heidi Mendoza had a promising career as a public accountant.  An expert in the field of audit, investigation, and fraud examination, she was employed by the Commission on Audit, holding responsible positions in the Commission for the better part of her professional career.  Everything was going well for Heidi when in September 2004 she was requested by then Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo to lead a group tasked to conduct fraud investigation involving the Armed Forces of the Philippines fund mess, particularly in the office of then AFP Comptroller, General Carlos Garcia.  Despite the physical and emotional strain not to a small measure caused by uncooperative and, at times, hostile government officials, she continued with the investigation.  Along the way, her team unearthed suspicious bank transactions and documents that could only mean anomalous transfers of AFP funds. Among others, Heidi had proof of anomalies related to managing funds from the United Nations intended to support our soldiers in peace-keeping missions abroad. When asked in an interview by ABS-CBN’s Ces Oreña-Drilon whether she has the smoking gun against Garcia, she quipped that while she is not a lawyer, her solid 20 years experience from the COA, including her trainings in financial and fraud investigation, gives her the confidence in the evidence they have gathered.

Heidi detailed these anomalous transactions in her testimony as the main state witness for the plunder case against General Garcia in the Sandiganbayan where she testified from 2007 to 2009. She also provided the documentation to support her testimony.  For two long years, Heidi silently and without fanfare attended and testified in the hearings (16 of them).  Most of the time, only her husband was there to give her moral support. By that time, the public and most of media had lost interest in the case.  Unlike in the case of other whistleblowers who exposed anomalies committed by high profile personalities, there were no civil society to drum up interest, no media to record, and no security except for some representatives from the church when ironically, a case of this magnitude would have triggered a media-frenzy and stirred the interest of even the most apathetic.  After all, rumors of massive corruption in the AFP have long been the fodder of news reports and subject of investigations for as long as I can remember. And more so because, we are all witness to the hapless conditions of our soldiers who go to battle without decent equipment.

Heidi is one who would rather shy away from the limelight, narrate her piece of the story before the Sandiganbayan and be done over with it.  She wanted to return to her disrupted normal life as soon as possible. But it was not to be.  When the government prosecutors defended a plea bargain that allowed a former military comptroller accused of plunder to go free on bail, saying the case against retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia was “deficient” from the start, she decided last week to break her silence and come out in the open if only to dispel the misperception that all government workers are corrupt.  To be able to do this, she decided to resign from a well-paying and professionally respected position in the Asian Development Bank where she had gone to work after resigning from the Commission on Audit. Ironically, her work in the ADB was to promote and work for good governance in the Philippines.  When I asked her why she was resigning from her ADB post, Heidi responded with a rhetorical question—“How could I work on good governance anywhere and keep silent about the Garcia case?”

Heidi Mendoza is a woman on a mission. But behind the courage and the commitment, the strains to herself and her family (who are all very proud of her) are taking a toll.  Like most witnesses in similar cases, there is always fear, apart from the very real and distinct physical risk they face every day that they would succumb to pressure and their efforts be rendered futile without significant support, whether moral, spiritual or financial. In many instances, whistleblowers, who may be key to solving a case, buckle under the weight of and succumb to intense pressure that goes with the expose or in this case, testifying against powerful individuals. But it is when an individual would unflinchingly risk everything for a noble cause despite tremendous adversities that he or she may be regarded as a hero or heroine.  And to me, Heidi is one such person.  As she said in the ABS-CBN interview, “I risked my life, my entire family and my career simply because, I would like to tell my fellow Filipino and to all others here and abroad, hindi lahat ng tao sa gobyerno magnanakaw, hindi lahat ng Pilipino ay natatakot manindigan laban sa korupsyon (Translated loosely: Not all government employees are thieves, not all Filipinos are afraid to speak out against corruption).

Indeed, corruption is the blight of our country. It erodes the moral fabric of the society and aggravates the poverty of our people. How ironic and tragic it is that, when we finally have a President committed to the straight and narrow path of good governance, we end up seemingly hopeless against something like the Garcia case. I cannot believe that President Benigno Aquino III cannot do something about this, including finding ways to supporting our unlikely hero to make sure that she is not left alone to the mercies of those who are angered by her testimony. I cannot also believe that we, ordinary citizens, are all that powerless as well before evil and injustice. After all, Heidi Mendoza has shown the difference courage and commitment make and it is a lot.

Manila Standard Today, 25 Jan 2011

Editorial Column Eagle Eyes: Dean Tony La Vina

E-mail: Tonylavs@gmail.com Facebook:Tonylavs@gmail.com Twitter: tonylavs

To all women drivers....BEWARE...

 This was forwarded to me by a relative.  It never hurts to be vigilant and aware this days.

I just want to share with you my experience this afternoon Jan 13, 2011.

At around 4:30 pm while driving along Shaw Blvd right after San Miguel Avenue going towards Pioneer street, a man ( Guy A) walking knocked on the passenger window and with mixed signals pointed at my hood saying there's a spark.

Another man (Guy B) walking also signaled the same so I went towards the driveway of PhilUSA
when I noticed Guy A telling me to park in 10/Q (along Shaw Blvd).  Since the traffic light was green, I decided to go straight to Caltex Service Station at the corner of Pioneer and Shaw Blvd.
When I stopped the car I asked the gasoline boy to check if there is a spark at the bottom of my hood. He said no.

At first I didn't want to believe him thinking that 2 different persons (Guy A & B) pointed to the same problem. Another man whom I thought was a Good Samaritan (Guy C) then asked me to start the engine so he can observe if there was indeed a spark.

Driving within the Caltex gas station but going towards Shaw Blvd (Caltex is located at the corner of Pioneer Street and Shaw Blvd) he then asked me to open the hood.

Thinking that I was  quite safe, being in the gas station, I did what he told me to do. He asked me to get down from the car so I can see the problem. At first I was hesitant but needing to see the problem, I turned off the engine and stepped down from my car. Alarm flashed in my head telling me to lock the car doors (doors automatically open when I turned off the engine).

Thinking that the passenger door is permanently locked, I was a bit comforted knowing that my handbag (which was placed in the middle of the seat on top of the hand brake) is safe.

Guy C then asked me to start the engine so I can see the spark?. Suddenly Guy A came over and checked the problem. He even engaged me in a conversation telling me how he was concerned when he saw the sparks. I noticed he had an open umbrella but it didn't register in my mind that the umbrella was used as a ploy trying to block my view of the whole car.

Guy A wanted me to go near the front. I stayed where I was at the left side of my car near the door.  Part of me was afraid that someone might drive off with my car while I stand in front of the hood. At that point I was kind of pissed with Guy A. Guy C then offered to call a mechanic.
I even asked him if he works nearby (Guy C looks like a messenger, wears a barong and even have an ID around his neck) and he said yes. 
 
So off he went. I didn't bother with Guy A since I went  back inside my car and waited.

After a few minutes, the supervisor of the gas station came to me and asked: " Ma'm are your things intact?" I looked around and said yes. He then repeated his question. That's when I noticed that my handbag was missing.  

He then told me that the gasoline boy saw somebody alight from a Toyota FX (plate no. UAJ 472) and opened the back door and got a black bag while I was busy talking with Guys A & C.

I requested for assistance from the policemen ( in Royal Blue and Black Pants) but they keep pointing me to the next corner until I almost reached the end of Shaw Blvd. All the policemen doesn't have their radio until the Barangay official from Brgy. San Antonio escorted me to the police station.

LESSONS LEARNED:  

1. Always keep your cellphone with you. Don't put it in your handbag. I was lucky enough to get hold of my cellphone as I was about to meet up with a friend who just ended a meeting. This enabled me to call the banks to cancel my ATM and credit cards.

2. Call a friend. When it all happened, I called up a friend to tell her about having problems with my car.

3. Be vigilant while driving. I didn't notice the FX tailing my car from Shaw Blvd to the gas station.
According to the police, the vehicle must have targeted me from my last stop. I just came out of the bank along Shaw Blvd then went to Cherry Supermarket.

4. If you car is well-maintained, don't just stop when someone points out a problem. Drive to the nearest gas  station. My car is only 2-1/2 years old.  There is no way a problem other than flat tire can happen especially if it  is well-maintained. For lady drivers, i suggest you get a wireless tire gauge so you can easily monitor the air pressure of your tires from inside your car. It is a bit costly but it may also save your life especially at night.

5. Don't be too gullible. Even a street-smart person can be deceived. Always be careful.
In situations like these, as there are 5 or 6 men ( driver of the vehicle, the person who got my bag, Guys A, B & C and a look-out). If  you are a target, don't just stop the car. Go to a public place like gas station.

6. Be thankful... After hearing so many stories of women being victimized, I thank God nothing untoward happen to me. My car was not taken from me; I was not harmed nor injured. Never mind about the bag, wallet, money and cards lost.  It can easily be replaced. You only have 1 life.

Please pass to all the women drivers.

According to Capt. Tonga of the Police Precinct in Brgy. San Antonio, something similar happened yesterday (Jan 12) at C5.

I'm sure this won't be the last. If you see a Toyota FX with Plate no. UAJ-472, please report to the nearest police.