These are dangerous times to be working or living in the vicinity of Makati’s Chino Roces Avenue—the road formerly known as Pasong Tamo that stretches from the corner of JP Rizal near the old Sta. Ana racetrack to the corner of Edsa.

The past few years have seen passengers in jeepneys traversing the PRC-Mantrade route falling prey to holdup gangs that strike at any given time—doesn’t matter whether at night or in broad daylight.

In recent weeks, the situation has become too prevalent and so close to home, with at least four Inquirer employees being held up on different occasions. One of the victims, a Lifestyle staffer, was assaulted by two thugs who barged into the taxicab she had flagged down in front of the office, after the driver himself announced the holdup after making a detour.

What adds insult to injury is that the cops seem helpless, if not oblivious, to the crimes; one of the police officers was said to have commented that they lack manpower and that the criminals know what areas to avoid.

As the rest of us take extra precautions, one guy who takes the cab every night is thinking hard whether he should buy a gun.