How to ride a cab without getting

robbed/raped/kidnapped 101: Metro Manila

edition
September 24, 2013 at 4:19pm

[EDIT: Thank you for all the comments, the likes, and most especially the
shares, as we could hopefully help save lives and belongings as we do so. I
would like to encourage everyone to share their cab horror stories, no matter
how sordid or vile, in the comments section, as doing so might prevent others
from being trapped in the same scheme. Thanks again and stay safe!]
[EDIT 2: Added info for GrabTaxi! You can download the app
fromwww.grabtaxi.com.ph.)
[EDIT 3: Added info for EasyTaxi at www.easytaxi.com/ph]
So I've been seeing all these Facebook posts and shares about the recent spate of
taxicab crimes, and if hitherto you still believe that all these incidents are far off,
remote, or won't happen to you (a cognitive distortion called an optimism bias), these
things happen almost on a daily basis, even right now.
This post is not meant to share another story of a cab in question or a shady driver or
their MOs. This post is meant to outline very common-sense procedures in order to
avoid, or at least minimize, the risk of boarding a taxi. Of course the only way to safely
avoid a taxi with a 100% success rate is not to board one at all!
As such I have compiled a list of handy things so everyone could be forewarned of these
insidious, halang-kaluluwas, as I believe that being forewarned is forearmed. This is the

result of I and my girlfriend's years of commuting using cabs together or alone, and is
thus a distillation of our street wisdom. This is by no means an exhaustive guide, but
rather common sense tips that most of us forget on a daily basis.

1.) Most of the victims in these MOs are WOMEN. I'm not scaring anyone, but if you're a
woman, you're doubly at risk for these kinds of scenarios. Therefore it is best to take
extra caution when commuting using a cab - if you can, choose alternatives, like
jeepneys, trains, or buses. BTW it may not look like it but more crimes happen in an
aircon bus than ordinary ones, so please be guided accordingly. Specifically, these
drivers target young professionals, from about 21-30, especially those well-dressed; and
their prowling grounds are around Ortigas, the Makati CBD, and around the ABS-CBN
area (if you're in these areas at night, consider having someone along).

2.) This is common sense nowadays, but jot down the cab's details: plate number,
name, contact number, and operator name, if possible. Make sure that the plate number
and the cab name stenciled outside matches the one inside (on the doors); if it doesn't,
GET OUT. Use these details and text this to anyone who's waiting for you to get home,
or a friend or family member. When my girlfriend does this, I try to run a cursory search
on Google for the mentioned plate number to see if it matches up to known culprits;
additionally, for added protection, you can text LTO's SMS service for details on the
vehicle. Text LTO VEHICLE [plate number] to 2600. Keep in mind that each text costs 2
pesos and the service is only Monday to Friday until 5pm.

3.) Do not take a cab whose driver is wearing a cap (especially when it's night) - this
makes you unable to remember the details of his face. Remember that when he does
try something, give yourself a moment to remember his face; a lot of victims focus on
their captor's hands, making it hard for police to get a clear sketch of the suspect's
facial features.

4.) Likewise, cabs whose drivers who are texting all the time, drive slow for no reason,
periodically check you out on the rearview mirror, occasionally get out to "fix"
something, or take an exceptionally long time on the gas station restroom are all red
flags. Get out (pay if you can, no reason to be rude if in case he wasn't
actually kawatan but just a victim of circumstance). If you haven't boarded yet, and the
driver has singled you out (from potential commuters) and is very insistent on you
taking his cab, go find another cab. If the cab has childlocked doors, ask why, and ask if
it's possible to unlock it instead. This said, make sure that you lock all doors (including
the shotgun seat) upon boarding.

5.) Again, this is common sense, but if you do need a cab, it's better to spend extra
bucks to call and get picked up by big-name cab companies like R&E, EfE, or the like.
MGE is a cab company with no extra charge if you call for their services. The higher the
visibility of the cab company, the less likely their drivers are going to perpetrate a crime
(or rip you off).

6.) DO NOT USE EXPENSIVE GADGETS while you're inside a cab, regardless of it's a
random cab or not. The way I and my girlfriend does this is that we have a spare phone
(like an old Nokia) that we use for commutes, while her iPhone and other gadgets are
hidden inside her bag or pocket.

7.) Keep a log of all your taxicab commutes, and next to each (with their details) write
comments down on their quality of service. This allows you to pinpoint which cabs you'd
rather like to commute in, and those whose drivers are suspicious and/or reckless. This
is especially useful for people who find that they ride the same cabs again and again, or
who'd like to find a regular taxi service to and from work or residence. Find one that is
pretty safe or comfortable and stick with it (instead of riding random cabs every time,
which ups your chances of being a crime victim pretty highly).

8.) It's a good idea to scout your destination beforehand, and to memorize adjacent
areas, landmarks, or street names. Plan your route before you commute, and ask the
driver to follow the route you describe, instead of relying on him to decide your way
(which is essentially giving him unnecessary power over you - remember, you are
already under his power as you are alone with him inside an aluminum box with wheels
and he drives this
box; no need to give him more of that). For added safety, unless you are very confident
of shortcuts, try to stick to roads with more traffic, that is, with more people or vehicles
passing through. If the driver deviates from the route, ask him why, or how'd he go
about your destination. If you have time, plan at least 2 alternative routes; Google Maps
or your smartphone's map app can make this a breeze.

9.) Have someone talk to you on the phone while you're in a cab, and have him or her
know of your current location as you guys talk. This deters a lot of criminals from doing
something immediately, as there is already a witness hearing everything in real-time.
Better yet, roleplay. Act as if the other party is waiting for you at your destination, which
further slashes the risk of being masunggaban upon.

10.) Remember that not all crimes happen by night. They already do these by day.

11.) Do not take a cab when you're intoxicated or otherwise not in full control of your
mental faculties or motor functions. TL;DR that means don't take cab when
you're lasing or high. Additionally, DO NOT DOZE OFF in a cab.

12.) Be alert. Try to take off your earphones/earbuds if possible, don't watch anything on
your tablet, and be sensitive to things around you. Other perpetrators use things such
as loud speakers to distract you. If you board a cab like this try to ask politely if the
volume could be dialed down. Otherwise, other than getting out, mentally filter out the
noise and concentrate on what the driver is doing, and where he is taking you. Watch
the driver's hands and eyes; a good idea is for you to see where his hands are all the
time. If he keeps one hand hidden all the time, or he's holding something indistinct that
he doesn't want you to see, that's a red flag. Get the fuck out.

13.) If you find yourself getting sleepy for no reason, coupled with the driver driving
slow, taking a roundabout route, or getting off and on, get out. Some drivers now use a
sort of ammonia on their AC units to lull passengers to sleep and have an easy time with
them (and their belongings). You can either use a flu face mask to minimize the effect of
the drug, or ask the driver to open the windows a little - if he refuses, you'd know he's
planning something nasty. Be on the lookout for drivers who fiddle with their AC units,
place a towel, napkin, or cloth on the airconditioning vents, or possess a bottle with an
unknown liquid on it.

14.) Have police services on speed dial, or your brother, dad, husband, or boyfriend (or
both). This allows you to send a quick message or cry for help before you get
incapacitated in a crime. Do not use a smartphone in this manner unless the phone has
a physical button that you can use as a speed dial button in case of emergencies. Have
a quick code ready, like capitalized "SOS", that you have agreed beforehand that
indicates that you need immediate help, as often you will have no time to type up a full
message. If you can get away with it, have your phone on during a crime, a la Taken, so
your rescuer can identify your suspect and lead the authorities during the search.

15.) In a crime in progress, keep calm and observe, and if possible, talk to your captor in
a level, even-headed manner, and delve into his psychological profile. Those who do it
in the spur of the moment, coerced by their kasabwat, or just plain out of financial need
are the easiest to break by sympathy. Other than this, some are just criminally
hardened. You need greater expertise than just sympathy to break their will in robbing

you. Besides, your apparent docility when being calm makes your captor relax and be
complacent, causing lapses in judgment that you can use to get away or exploit.

16.) Drivers prey on women because of several things. One is perceived physical frailty
(that they can physically overpower and beat a woman through force). Another is a
woman's general inability to find directions (sorry ladies...). Use the first to your
advantage, and make him underestimate you. As for the second, read item 8. Another is
the woman's tendency to flash egregious displays of wealth or sexuality. Try to remove
jewelry, especially expensive-looking ones. Wear simply. You will find that your maxi
dress and/or high-heeled stilettos a hindrance when it comes to running away from your
attacker. If your dress or clothing reveals a lot of skin, cover yourself with a jacket or a
coat.

17.) Have a weapon handy. A small stabbing tool (keys work fine), a cutter, a pair of
scissors, pepper spray, even a bright LED flashlight (if you can catch the attacker offguard) can give you an edge. Hold it inside your bag during the trip and be ready to
lunge at the attacker's eyes or neck if he does decide to do something funny. Don't
target his hands or arms. It would just infuriate him with minimal damage. Damaging his
eyes or throat would land you trouble, but better that than dead (or raped and dead).

18.) Pay attention to the news and social media. Most people nowadays post the cab
names and plate numbers of taxis who are driven by criminals or would-be criminals.
List them down, and whenever you commute using a cab, consult your list.

19.) Board a cab where there's a lot of people, like malls' taxi queues or taxi bays. Ayala
malls (Glorietta, Trinoma, etc) provide additional security by having their taxi bays
manned by a security guard who will give you a slip where your taxi's details are written
on. Failing this, board a taxi in a lighted area, or have someone accompany you to your
taxi.

20.) Because these people find new and novel ways for their modus operandi, think like
a criminal. Not in the sense that you want to rob people, but think like how they would
think and innovate their methods to counteract the caution of people riding their cabs.
This would allow you to be one step ahead of them and devise your own plan of counterattack.

21.) Use the GrabTaxi app, if you can (www.grabtaxi.com.ph). It's a free app available
for iOS, Android, and Windows Phones. Basically the app allows you to book a nearby
taxi for your route, and you can even see the name, photo, and contact number of the
cab driver, and his vehicle's plate number. This adds an extra layer of security as each
unit in the system is tracked in real-time, thus minimizing the driver's risk of bad
behavior. Downside of this is that you need an Internet connection for it to work. An
alternative for GrabTaxi is EasyTaxi (www.easytaxi.com/ph), which works the same way.
22.) And finally, pray. Pray before you board, pray during, and say a prayer of thanks
when you disembark safely.
I hope these tips are useful to anyone who reads this, as it's about time we become
conscious of these crimes and work together to defeat it. Hopefully, this would lessen
the incidence of these things, or at least in my mediate circle.
Commute safely, everyone!
--{Photo from The Longest Way Home; visit them
at http://www.thelongestwayhome.com}