[Paul]

the next time you attempt this, you will meet your maker.

Tonight, around 1:30am, J.J. and I arrived at home, our safe home, or so we previously thought. We had just gotten off the motorcycle when two young men approached us, one wielding a gun - possibly a .38 caliber, if it were real anyway. (I cannot say that it was or was not real at this point in time.) Anyway, the one holding the gun said, "Give me your bag, Joe," speaking of the bag (I look like a tourist with it around my neck) I had hanging off my body.

Immediately, I replied, "No! I'm not giving you my bag. Shoot me." He looked at me as though I were crazy. He repeated, "Give me your bag." I replied again, "Shoot me, mother *beep!*! If you want it, shoot me!"

Almost immediately, J.J. ran inside, with the guy holding the gun attempting to follow her through the doorway. I kicked him out the way, causing him to lose his footing. This gave her time to get inside and lock the door. He and his companion apparently decided it was best to 'vacate the premises'. As they ran away, I did not stop for anything, jumping on the motorcycle and giving chase down C. Rosal Street. I finally caught up to the two cowards running about two blocks away.

As I approached the two young Filipinos, I accelerated the motorcycle, because I was pi55ed (not drunk, as would be assumed by other westerners, but extremely mad). I came up to the first one (the one without the gun) and kicked him with my left leg, knocking him down. Unfortunately, this also caused me to lay the motorcycle down, although traveling at a slow speed. Both young men then turned south toward Escario Street, still on foot.

By the time I got the motorcycle up, cranked again and in gear, they were almost to Escario. As I approached on motorcycle, they were boarding a taxi at Escario. I followed them down Escario toward Ayala Mall. However, upon arriving at the intersection of Escario and Arch Bishop Reyes, they turned left (toward Banilad) and went up the on ramp.

I continued following them, all the while calling J.J. via the cell phone to contact the police. Fortunately, she had already done just that, informing them of our situation. (Note: The PNP from Fuente Osmeña responded very quickly to J.J.'s call for help. I am quite thankful for their immediate response and the number of officers who showed up to help.)

While J.J. was on the landline, I continued to follow the scumbags. They turned off Arch Bishop Reyes at the next intersection, toward Salinas Drive. They caused the taxi driver to take a right there, heading toward SM. However, at the next intersection they turned right toward Cebu Business Park. After following them about two blocks (just before the main road through Cebu Business Park), they caused the taxi to stop and go out of the car. They immediately headed down and alley where I lost both suspects.

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This happened on November 5, 2005, around 1:30am. If I had it to do all over again, the only thing I would have done differently would have been to keep the one guy down, allowing the other to escape. I'm quite sure the one would have "sold" the other one down the river, once he was threatened with a long prison sentence, or depending on how much pain I would have inflicted into him.

Either way, I stand by what I have said the whole time I have lived in the Philippines. That is, "I will NEVER give a robber anything but pain, if he tries to rob me." I hope he is willing to die for what he wants, because I am certainly willing to die for what I have.

Now, I realize this post is going various people come up with a number of ideas as to what I should or should not have done. However, prior to posting your replies, please make it a point to think about how you may (or may not) react in the same situation.

Now, back to my original line in this post:

J.J. and I will secure all permits, which are necessary for us to acquire firearms necessary to defend ourselves. Her family is primarily police, so we will be happy to do this through legal channels. However, we will, from now on, be 'carrying' protection. So, to those of you who may decide to rob us, you will meet your maker the next time you attempt to take something we have. If you don't believe me, I hope you decide to try it.

From laying down the motorcycle, I have some cuts and bruises on my right elbow and the right side of my right knee. However, other than that, I am fine. The motorcycle has a broken right mirror, bent right-hand side (front wheel) brakes and some other scrapes.

Please note: My after thought post regarding this incident is located here: Fear? Nope.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul

| Pointman Cebu | Living In Cebu | Cebu Tours |

"Did you know an alligator can turn on a dime? I didn't." - talisayus

"After I get over the original screaming, it's not bad." - By John Shriner

[Alan_S]

Bad luck, and glad you both came out of it OK.

Yes, with hindsight, perhaps grabbing one guy and leaving the other might have been best. Easy to say, after the event.

I would reckon there is a good chance that word may spread that you are not an easy touch, which, hopefully, may discourage others.
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Alan

[hakan]

ouch I am sorry to hear about this.
I have understood from different sources that lifes in PH has become harder and now that Ramadan is over It will even be harder.
Some friends of mine had problem passing the border between Malaysia and thailand. Some areas of south Thailand is very risky now.
Of your story I see it as an incident and nothing planed from the robbers, my thoughts are with you and JJ.

ps.
sorry for the bad english

/Håkan

[Jim Royce]

[drews50]

Glad to hear you and JJ are okay. Those two are probably still shaking in their boots, afraid to step foot outside. Image how they felt, a really * off Kano, a full foot taller and 100 pounds bigger chasing their butts down the street. They were anticipating a royal ass kicking at best, maybe murder and mayhem! Definately filled there pants at least once. Atta boy Paul.

[Paul]

Hi Fellas,

Well, I will say this, I was brought up to stand up for what I believe in. J.J. and I are always happy to help others, without question. Anyone who knows us also knows this. But, I will say one thing, God help me, or the *beep!* that tries to do that to us again.

We were told by the officers at Fuente Police Station that we can own guns. So, through tatay (well over 20 years as a police officer), we will see about getting a shot gun to keep at the office, as well as a pistol for J.J. to carry on her. Next thing is, we will be getting her trained on how to properly use them both, in case she ever has to defend herself.

I have always told J.J. to run away if anything ever happened like that while we were out, just RUN. As fast as she could last night, she got inside the office and locked the door behind her. That is the single best thing she could have done. I am quite proud that she took note of that and did it.

The sad part about this whole situation, is I can no longer say, "I have lived here for "x" years and have never had an incident where someone tried to rob me at gun point," as I have been so proud of saying in the past.

Oh .... always, the day after an accident, you feel 20 times worse from minor injuries? Damn this crap hurts!
_________________
Paul

| Pointman Cebu | Living In Cebu | Cebu Tours |

"Did you know an alligator can turn on a dime? I didn't." - talisayus

"After I get over the original screaming, it's not bad." - By John Shriner

[jjrbus]

Glad to hear your OK, I'm glad you did not have a gun, I think you are kind a softee and would have felt real bad if you would have shot someone. I keep 2 guns in my house, ready to use. I hope I never have too.
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One day at a time

[FirstByte]

I'm glad to hear that you both are ok.

that's a boy.... like a Pit Bull...they must have sh*t their pants while you were giving chase.

Well next time i visit, I'll have to remember to wear my "I'm really Australian... No really i am!" tshirt before i enter your office

take care guys

[starguard_1]

Would a Kano receive a "fair" trial for killing a Filipino that allegedly was robbing him without having to pay a lot of bribes?

[Terp]

[Sinned]

Unfortunately, if that were to happen, this thread could easily be construed as premeditation. Well, assuming murder laws are similar to those of the US anyway.

Glad no one was hurt though.
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[caweloy]

These are very bad and unfortunate events, and I think with the economic problems unsolved this kind of attempted robberies will be more common in the near future.

My wife has bought a revolver legally after we had an intruder sneaking around the house, I keep it within easy reach just in case.

Once I talked to a guard, complaining that some people climb my fence to steal Malungay Leaves, and I asked him to tell these individuals (squatters leaving nearby) not to do that, especially at night, because I would shoot first and than ask questions.
All the guard replied was to make sure the guy were dead and on my side of the fence to avoid legal problems.

caweloy

[Sinned]

[Visayan Islands]

Paul i do believe that looking after JJ was an instinct of yours....it would have been my first course of action if it was my wife....and the rest of what you did.courage mate.Just be careful coz now they know where you live....My wife got robbed with a knife at her neck,and it's not funny...Hope you get them ,and make an example out of them for others to watch out.....

[Visayan Islands]

And when you get these F***Wits,tie them up in the raw to a power pole and write on them......i steel from the people who love my country...