Well looks like the police are doing something about the carjacking problem that has been plaguing Quezon City the past few months. Or at least trying to appear like they’re doing something about it. Police officials had been on the news admitting belatedly the problem and talking about doing something about it. More recently, they chased three alleged carjackers riding a red Nissan Sentra, cornered it, raked the car with gunfire in a supposed gunfight, and finally made sure everyone was dead. It was all in the news because a TV crew was able to record the incident. Then there was tonight.
A few moments ago, my sister and I were on the way home from Fort Bonifacio visiting relatives. As I sped [at a bit over the speed limit] along that drag racing strip between EDSA and White Plains Road, I spotted a police FX, so I immediately slowed down. Besides, I was about to make the turn towards White Plains road. As I made the turn, the cops inside the police FX started spotlighting me. I thought it was just a cursory check (Are they singling out Nissan Sentras?) so I went on and started to accelerate. But they kept spotlighting me from behind and then drew up alongside and flagged me down.
I stopped, they stopped in front of me, and two cops alighted. One was carrying an M16 (Do I look too much of a threat?). One went up to the window, the other one slightly behind him. To be fair they were polite. Said it’s a cursory check. Was about to let me go when as an afterthought, he asked for my license. I gave it to him. He then asked for my firearms license. I didn’t realize I was still carrying my license from long time ago at Malabon range so I said I didn’t have one. But he insisted. Apparently he glimpsed it from inside my wallet (Note to self: leave it at home next time).
Anyway, I realized what happened and I again opened my wallet and gave the license to him. He commented to his colleague “Glock pa to, oh.”, and then they did a more thorough check. From what I know they’re just supposed to look but not touch. But I thought I’d take the path of least resistance and cooperate so I just let them look under the seats and in the glove compartment (but they didn’t ask for the trunk to be opened). While poking around, they were asking if I have a gun with me. And I kept telling them that I don’t, I have no PTC, etc. And while this was happening my concern was what if they palmed a sachet of shabu and planted it under the seat as they were searching. Damn, was I nervous.
Suddenly, the cop looking under my seat said “Ano to?!?” My heart skipped a beat and I thought “He planted something!!!”. I was really relieved when it turned out to be my umbrella. Whew! After a few seconds, they stopped, returned my licenses, apologized for the inconvenience (to which I good naturedly said “No problem. You’re just doing your jobs.” :P), and let my sister and I go on our merry way home.
Wonder what would have happened if I had unwittingly ignored their spotlighting me and sped on as I usually do on that road. Would they have chased me? What if I they were in an unmarked vehicle and in plainclothes? Should I stop? What if I had packed my piece? What if they had planted drugs? All those things are passing through my head after the incident. Darn! What a night!