The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has issued a warning advisory to alert the
public of the rampant incidents of Basag Kotse in the province.
Basag Kotse is the criminal act of smashing a car’s windshield or windows to
unlawfully get valuables in the passenger cabin.
According to BPPO Director Colonel Lorenzo A. Batuan, the Basag Kotse Gang is a
notorious group of thieves who target cars parked in isolated or dark places, or even
in traffic, and smash their windows to grab valuables inside. These criminals usually
use motorbikes to escape quickly after the crime.
Batuan said that the gang has been operating in various parts of the country,
especially in Metro Manila and Calabarzon regions, and has recently expanded its
activities to Bohol.
He cited a recent case of a woman who fell victim to the gang in the town of Dauis
on Friday night.
The victim, Belle Ramos, posted on Facebook her harrowing experience of losing
her laptop, pouches, and other items to the gang. She said she parked her car along
the side street of CauseWay Food Hub, a popular restaurant in Dauis, and ate inside
the resto. After an hour, she was shocked to see that both her right windows were
broken and her belongings were gone.
Batuan urged the public to be vigilant and to follow these tips and guidelines to avoid
being victimized by the Basag Kotse Gang:
- Do not leave valuables such as laptops, cellphones, wallets, bags, or jewelry inside
your car, even if they are hidden or locked in the trunk. - Park your car in well-lit, crowded, or guarded areas, preferably with CCTV cameras
for security. - Install anti-theft devices such as alarms, steering wheel locks, or window tinting on
your car. - Report any suspicious persons or activities near your car to the nearest police
station or hotline. - If you witness or encounter a Basag Kotse incident, do not confront the
perpetrators or chase them. Instead, take note of their physical features, clothing,
motorbike plate number, and direction of escape, and report them to the authorities.
Batuan assured the public that BPPO is doing its best to track down and arrest the
members of the Basag Kotse Gang.
He also appealed to anyone who might have information or evidence to help the
police solve the cases.
“We are asking for your cooperation and support in our campaign against this
criminal group. Let us work together to protect our properties and ensure our safety,”
Batuan said.