Male Tourist Falls Victim to Pickpockets During MassKara Festival in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
A tourist from Manila fell victim to pickpockets, locally known as “plaza girls,” while visiting Bacolod City during this year’s MassKara Festival.
A pickpocket is a person who steals money, wallets, phones, or other valuables from someone’s pockets or bags, usually in crowded public places without the victim noticing.
Pickpockets often work in busy areas like festivals, markets, buses, or streets, taking advantage of distractions to secretly steal belongings.
Recently, the Facebook page “RMN DYHB Bacolod 747” reported that a tourist at MassKara Festival lost his valuables to pick pocketers. The incident elicited various reactions from the online community.
The victim, identified as 30-year-old Allen Richmond from Mandaluyong City, went to the city’s public service center to report the incident. According to him, his POCOM 3 cellphone and wallet containing his UMID card, National ID, debit card, and around P4,000 in cash were stolen.
Allen shared that he traveled from Manila to Iloilo on October 9, 2025 (Thursday) and took a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessel to Bacolod later that afternoon. While walking around the public plaza to enjoy the festive atmosphere, a woman suddenly placed her arm around him and started a casual conversation.
Allen didn’t notice that another woman was already reaching into his bag. Moments later, he realized that his wallet and phone were gone. The thieves had already disappeared into the crowd before he could react.
The MassKara Festival, known for its lively street parties, colorful masks, and cheerful energy, attracts thousands of tourists every year. But along with the fun, local authorities have repeatedly reminded both residents and visitors to stay alert, especially in crowded areas where petty crimes often occur.
Richmond advised fellow tourists to always remain vigilant, particularly in public spaces and during nighttime events. Despite the frustration, he hoped that others would learn from his experience and enjoy the festival safely.
In a similar incident, Alice Dixson victimized by a pickpocket gang in mall
The internet users expressed their reactions to the incident:
