POLICE authorities are urging Zamboanga City residents to be vigilant and take caution against "budol-budol" gangs.
Senior Inspector Sheila May Chang, Zamboanga City Police Office spokesperson, made the call on Monday as they have received reports of swindling activities in the city recently.
Budol-budol refers to the swindling hurly-burly of a gang that convinces the target that inside the bulging bag there are bundles of peso bills (bank notes). A swindler is a person who gets the money or anything from someone by fraud or trickery.
In most cases, the victims of the group are retirees and senior citizens who just came from banks and other financial institutions.
"We would like to warn the public on the proliferation of budol-budol gang in Zamboanga City," Chang said.
As a precaution, Chang urged residents should be vigilant, to refrain talking or accompanying strangers, and to avoid going out at night alone and venturing in unlighted areas.
She added that in response to the reported incidents, the ZCPO has deployed personnel to intensify patrol and monitoring of the city streets. (SunStar Philippines)