Forewarned, Forearmed
By Isagani Miguel Ranillo
Amid continued societal crumble, University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) students are hounded by crime circling their very institution.
I am no stranger to crime in the area. On the evening of Feb. 23, my bag was slashed open while passing Quirino Station. Fortunately enough, nothing was stolen, so the panic was short-lived. But not everyone will be as lucky. Many other students leave or return to campus after dark for organization activities, night classes, or exams, making them similarly vulnerable. Those reliant on public transportation in particular — renowned hotspots for petty theft — may fall victim to similar acts, especially at night.
Given the dangers that come with being alone at night, it should come as no surprise that safety is uncertain even in broad daylight in the presence of campus security. According to one witness, a man positioned himself close to her companion while walking along Pedro Gil on the afternoon of March 14. Just before entering campus, her companion’s wallet fell out of her bag despite their recollection that it had been properly zipped. Reassuring as the presence of guards may have been, it has now become an unreliable crime deterrence on busy sidewalks. If left unprevented, such incidents may become a chronic issue for students to endure. The nature of life in a geographically split campus — alternating between P. Faura and Pedro Gil amid imbalances in facilities and class offerings — inherently pushes them into harm’s way.
Constant vigilance should not be a burden students must bear. On top of it limiting their freedom and being mentally exhausting, it is a frankly exclusionary solution. Not everyone is equipped with the means — such as private transportation — to completely avoid areas of risk. Neither are they so well-rested as to be completely aware of their surroundings at all times or have the luxury of anti-theft accessories. Expecting students from all walks of life to be able to look out for themselves is wishful thinking.
Recent criminal activity in the area requires more elaborate intervention than just increased precautions. They are not isolated to the streets alone; similar dangers haunt students even within their residences. On March 5, a man reportedly attempted to break into the Eagles Dormitory, a ladies’ dormitory found along Adriatico Street near Robinsons Manila. According to one witness, who is a UPM student, the suspect was spotted at around 3 a.m. trying to unlock the entrance but failed. Despite failing to enter the dormitory, he was reported to have broken into another dormitory and has since been taken into custody. Many students turn to dormitories because of their budget-friendly nature. However, affordability often comes with trade-offs — in this case, security. Once again, adequate security proves its exclusivity to the lucky few.
Not only has petty theft hounded Ermita but nearby Malate as well, indicating exacerbated local poverty. In general, many also struggle to access employment, liveable wages, and even adequate social security in the country. Resorting to such extremes, even at the risk of their liberty, is a testament to their dire need.
Addressing deeply-rooted systemic issues like poverty is easier said than done, especially with a corrupt and inefficient government. There is also only so much a few police officers can do to fortify large areas; criminals are bound to sneak through the cracks. Crime, being a communal struggle, prompts police to respond elsewhere when needed. Utter dependence on them despite their occasional unavailability leaves us vulnerable in their absence. Relying on external support alone, therefore, is incautious.
The need arises for the university — in the name of student welfare — to fill the gaps left by higher institutions. With thieves now more brazen, security measures must extend beyond just checking bags and IDs. More holistic measures, both short and long-term, are necessary. Guards should probe even the sidewalks along university fences; we are students outside physical barriers, after all. Through this, more immediate intervention and better inhibition of future incidents in such areas can be achieved.
Efforts should be made to minimize students’ exposure to risk altogether. For instance, more in-campus accommodation, student spaces, and food options would reduce the need to seek them elsewhere. Further, resources across both campus wings should be better equalized so students do not have to hover between two different areas for classes. Even scheduling exams earlier in the day can reduce students’ exposure to peak hours and dim sidewalks.
We must concede that the workings of broader society are well beyond the control of minuscule stakeholders like ourselves. That is not to say that collective action is meaningless; rather, it means that its end goals are much less guaranteed and achieved slower. Thus, demanding reform from larger governing bodies must be coupled with lobbying for change from smaller, proximate units such as the university. Their hand in trying times — albeit limited — offers solace that is marginal but genuine nonetheless.
