8/11/2019 Letter to OSA

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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

COMPL INT REPORT

Dear Professor Enriquez,

I am Chad Osorio, a 3rdyear 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