PNP’s advice to players: Don’t let ‘Pokémon Go’ be ‘Cellphone Go’

Photo courtesy of PNP PCRG.

Pokémon Go, not “Cellphone Go.”

Don’t be an easy target for snatchers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) advised the users of the mobile game Pokémon Go.

The PNP has issued safety tips for players of Pokémon Go, now considered the most popular smartphone application in many countries. Here are PNP’s tips:

1. Don’t play while driving or crossing streets.
2. Avoid going to unsafe places, like dark and secluded establishments.
3. Do not trespass. Always ask permission from the owners of places with Pokéstops/Gyms.
4. It’s better to hunt Pokémon characters when you are with a companion.
5. Always stay alert and mindful of your surroundings.
6. Secure your bag and other personal belongings while playing.

“Tandaan, ito ay Pokemon Go, hindi Cellphone Go. Ito ay laro para ma-catch ‘em all, hindi para sa mga magnanakaw na ma-snatch ang phone,” the advisory added.

(Remember, it’s Pokémon Go, not Cellphone Go. It’s a game for you to catch ‘em all, not for for thieves to snatch your phone.)

In an interview on Thursday, PNP’s Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) director Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz urged the public not to let themselves become “objects of robbery and snatching” while playing the interactive game.

“Nagkakaroon ng opportunity ‘yung isang krimen na mangyari kung nawawala ‘yung awareness nung tao. Kung ang focus mo nandoon sa cellphone, sigurado mas prone ka maging biktima ng robbery or theft,” he said.

(There comes an opportunity for crime to occur if the person’s awareness is not there. If the focus is on the cellphone, you may be more prone to becoming a victim of robbery or theft.)

Photo courtesy of PNP PCRG.

Although the PNP has not recorded any incidents yet related to Pokémon Go, reports said that players in other countries have been getting into accidents while playing the game.

A local official in Zamboanga has issued a similar advisory for Pokémon Go players in the city. Meanwhile, a judge in Cebu warned players that they would land in jail if they would hunt down Pokémon characters insider her chamber.

READ: Mayor issues Pokemon Go advisory for players in Zamboanga City


“Okay lang maglaro pero siguro ilagay sa lugar ‘yung paglalaro natin. If we feel na ‘yung isang lugar na iyon e safe naman, like parks na malalaki at maliliwanag, pwede ‘yun. Pero ‘yung hindi kayo familiar sa lugar tapos bigla tayong bababa dahil may namonitor na Pokémon doon sa lugar na iyon ay mag-isip ho tayo dahil sa gusto natin makahuli na Pokémon ay ’yon pa ang maging mitsa para masaktan tayo, manakawan o mamatay,” he said.

(It’s okay to play, but let’s do it in the right place. If we feel that the place is safe, like big parks that are well-lit, that’s fine. But if you are unfamiliar with the place and then you would suddenly go there because you see a Pokémon there, think twice because your desire to catch that Pokémon might get you hurt, robbed, or dead.) CDG

READ: Cebu judge threatens to jail, fine Pokemon Go players