October 9, 2014

Prof. Ma. Althea T. Enriquez, PhD

OSA Coordinator
Office of Student Activities, Vinzons Hall
University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101

COMPLAINT REPORT
Dear Professor Enriquez,
I am Chad Osorio, a 3
rd
year student of the UP College of Law and the Head Photographer for External
Affairs of the UP Photography Society (UP OPTICS). I was advised by Miss aLyn Silarde to write a letter of
complaint as regards the incident which happened last Tuesday, October 7, 2014.
My orgmates and I were at the Vinzons Org Tambayan from around 4pm to 6pm. We were talking to
each other and taking photographs. Our bags were at the tambayan next to us. In the span of a few minutes,
I lost my entire bag, with my laptop, smartphone, Php6k in my wallet and around Php500 in my coin bag, IDs
and bank cards. Estimated cost of all the equipment I lost is Php50k plus. I'm extremely grateful I decided not
to bring my camera and lenses for the day.
From initial reports at the scene of the theft, apparently the past two weeks this has happened thrice,
once at UP Cradle (2 bags went missing) and another at UP Lakan. However, when I posted this topic on social
media via my Facebook account and through various UP Diliman online groups, the comments reveal that
there have been a lot more incidents similar to this in the past year alone. One student and a personal friend,
in addition to losing his iPad, wallet and watch, even had his safety compromised when the thieves were able
to ransack his condo and take two laptops, from the key they got from his bag. The initial theft happened in
the College of Engineering.
These are not isolated incidents anymore and has escalated to be a recurring and unsolved problem.
Suspects include streetchildren as well as mendicants who roam the area, though from reports it is
apparent that a man of about our age, above-average height, dark and wearing decent clothes, pretend to be
a student hanging out in the area only to nick bags the moment when people are not looking. Usually the bags
that he takes are black laptop ones, which would look inconspicuous on him.
UP has not provided lights, added security or notices to secure personal property despite these
incidents and despite its clear duty to do so, so I am writing to you to respectfully suggest a massive information
campaign, for students, faculty, staff and visitors alike be more vigilant to prevent these occurrences from
happening again.
Thank you very much. My organization and I look forward to working with the rest of the UP community
to solve this very pressing concern.

Respectfully yours,


Chad Patrick Osorio