Tourists lose valuables on a popular Philippine beach, concerned citizen tries to help

Retulin brought the victims to a police station. PHOTO: Facebook/ Jean Retulin
Retulin brought the victims to a police station. PHOTO: Facebook/ Jean Retulin

Summer is a lucrative time for thieves on a beach.

A group of tourists holidaying in Boracay lost their phones, wallets, and other valuables on April 30 around 6 pm. A concerned Boracay citizen tried to help the distraught victims.

Jean Cezar Retulin approached the tourists when she saw them crying and panicking near station 1. She learned that the group had lost nearly everything. They had a flight out of the country the following day.

“They left their stuff when they went swimming,” Retulin wrote on a Facebook post that has now gone viral with more than 11,000 likes.

Retulin who is a hotel employee in the area helped the tourists report the incident. She found a kind tricycle driver who drove them to the police station.

They had to wait in line because other tourists who were also victims of theft also wanted to file complaints. At least one Korean woman lost her belongings on the beach, too.

Retulin left the group when they assured her that they can handle the situation with the help of the police. She doesn’t know if they were able to catch their flight the next day.

Calling tourism the “life blood” of Boracay, Retulin said that she doesn’t want the incident to ruin the reputation of the popular tourist spot. She reminded tourists to keep their belongings safe and secure, especially when they go for a swim.

“You can leave your valuables in the hotel, or maybe a nearby store or guardhouse… Don’t be afraid to come to Boracay,” Retulin told Coconuts Manila.

Boracay is best known for white sand beaches. It was fourth on Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of friendliest islands of 2016.



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