Dutch drugged, robbed of P400K in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A 71-year-old Dutch national was allegedly drugged and robbed of P400,000 in cash by a 32-year-old woman and two unidentified men in Manila Sunday afternoon.

Tourist Nico de Boer from Holland said he was roaming Rizal Park at around 2 p.m. on Nov. 16 when a friendly old man approached him and started making small talk. The man then made a call on his mobile phone, and shortly after a younger man and woman joined them. The four went around Sta. Cruz Church and Quiapo Church, after which the victim said the suspects invited him for a drink in a nearby restaurant.

After five beers, De Boer said he felt dizzy and fell unconscious. He awoke the following day inside the vehicle of a concerned citizen who took him back to his hotel on Mabini Street in Malate.

Case investigator, SPO1 Donald Panaligan, of the Manila Police District’s General Assignment and Investigation Section (MPD-GAIS), said the victim was able to identify the woman as Rachelle Reyes, a resident of P. Florentino Street in Sto. Domingo, Quezon City, through MPD-GAIS’ gallery of robbery suspects.

Panaligan said the police have been trying to identify the two accomplices of Reyes and locate the three suspects.