Rocco Nacino. Image: Instagram/@benrudgohing via @nacinorocco
Rocco Nacino urged the management of a theme park in Manila to “invest” in security, after his driver encountered several suspected thieves while waiting for the actor and his family in the establishment’s parking area.
Nacino gave an account of the incident through his Facebook page on Monday, July 3, saying he made the post for the safety of the customers and for the welfare and security of the amusement park.
“Yesterday, July 2, we visited [Manila Ocean Park] with my family. We were 2 cars and since it was a hectic day, we brought a driver with us,” he began. “As he brought us to the drop off area where my parents were waiting for us, everything went smoothly and I instructed our driver to head to the parking area of Ocean Park and rest for a while.”
“While we were inside, our driver took a nap and turned off the engine of the car. Since hindi sanay matulog sa car, mababaw ang tulog niya (Since he was not used to sleeping in cars, he was not completely asleep),” he continued. “A little later, two cars parked in front of him, and out came seven individuals—five of them male and two female. They started circling around the car, slowly peeping inside, obviously looking for something.”
Given the situation, Nacino’s driver “got nervous and started to fake his sleep” while observing the individuals surrounding the vehicle.
“He heard one of the men say, ‘May tao ba? May makukuha ba (Is there someone inside? Is there something to get)?’ Which the woman replied, ‘Meron pala, natutulog (There’s someone sleeping inside),'” Nacino said. “They started to exchange looks kung itutuloy nila o hindi (to decide if they would carry out their plan), but then chose to drive away na lang.”
“If my driver wasn’t there, basag ang windows ko niyan, kinuha na lahat ng valuables sa loob lalo na at kitang-kita na maraming baby stuff inside,” the actor added. “If pumalag ang driver ko, most probably may baril ang mga lalaki na de kotse pa.”
(If my driver wasn’t there, my car windows would have been broken and my valuables would have been stolen, given that they saw a lot of baby stuff inside. If my driver fought back, then most probably the [suspected thieves], who had a car, had guns.)
Nacino further said that he was supposed to withdraw some money and lock it in the vehicle’s compartment on that day, but fortunately he didn’t. Nacino then clarified that he was sharing his experience not to “bash” the theme park but to call the attention of its management.
“But please, bump up your security. Increase roving around the parks inside and outside the park. Please invest on your security, lalo na maraming tourists na dumadalaw sa (especially that there are many tourists who visit the) park and hotels,” he addressed the park’s management.
The actor also reminded those who visit the amusement park to not leave their valuables inside their vehicles.
“Stay safe everyone. ‘Di na biro ang mga nilalang na gumagawa ng masama. Kung ano man ang rason nila para gawin iyon, karma na lang bahala sa kanila,” he stated. “Pero sana ma-realize nila kapag tinuloy nila mga gawain nila, napaka-traumatizing sa mga families ang ginagawa nila.”
(Stay safe everyone. The ways of those committing crimes are getting worse. Whatever their reason is in doing that, karma will come their way. But I hope they realize that what they do is very traumatizing to the families they victimize.)
The management of the theme park responded to Nacino via the comments section and said that they were evaluating the reported incident, stressing that the security and safety of their patrons were their “top priority.”
“Manila Ocean Park (MOP) implements security measures and protocols within the park, including its parking facilities to guard against criminals and unscrupulous individuals. We appreciate the public’s vigilance and cooperation in thwarting these elements,” the management said.
“Rest assured that MOP is currently evaluating the reported incident and will look into ways to further improve the security measures in place,” it added.
Image: Facebook/Rocco Nacino
Image: Facebook/Rocco Nacino
While Nacino thanked the park’s management for the response, the actor lamented that another visit to the establishment “will most likely not be possible anytime soon given the danger the poorly organized parking and security it has.” /ra