The recent courtroom killing in Manila, wherein a lone gunman ended the life of ex-mayor Rey Yap of Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental, proves just what a determined assassin can do.
A friend also asked me recently what he can do to protect himself against a similar fate, since he has been receiving death threats on his phone. This prompted me to interview several policeman friends and instructors on the best way to protect one’s self against such threats.
Although the above-mentioned title might evoke images and scenes from past action movies, a threat on your life is not something to laugh about. And while an attack might occur at any place and anytime, one can still employ simple yet effective tacticsto increase survivability just in case the assault occurs.
BEFORE THE ATTACK
- Keep all records of the threats – Whether it is by cellphone SMS, letters or phone calls, the recipient of the death threat must keep a record of the contents of the threat. For phone calls, note carefully the time and date. You can also listen to the background noise, in case of repeated calls, to give you a clue on where the call is originating from. Cellphone numbers from SMS messages are also vital clues which can help police track down an attacker if and when the attack occurs.
- Note down the context of the threat – Although most of the time death threats are merely pranks, some can be fatally true. If you want to single out which ones are real and which ones are just products of a mischievous mind, take note of what is included in the threat. Some real assassins would include details such as the location where you can be found at certain times of the day. This type of message means that you might be under surveillance and that the attacker is keeping track of your movement to find the right moment to strike.
- Access the info to determine possible source of the threat – A person who is under threat most often than not knows his would-be attacker or the one that will hire an attacker. Upon receipt of the message, access and evaluate known enemies or people slighted in any way. This might lead to clues on the origin of the death threat. But note carefully that this does not immediately connote evidence, rather it will give police leads in their investigation should the attack happen.
COUNTERING THE ATTACK
- Report the threat to the police -Upon determining that a death threat is likely to happen, one must do the necessary first step and report the threat to the nearest police precinct, building security and village security force. This report will provide a vital link from the threat to any attack that might occur and allow the police to respond faster to your plight.
- Place an officer’s number on speed dial - After reporting your death threat on the police blotter, request a member of the police to provide a number you could use to report an imminent attack. Place this number on speed dial so that you can have quick access to it during the time of an attack. This phone can be your lifeline until help arrives.
- Make your schedule random -Make it harder for the attacker to complete his unsavory task with one simple tactic – an erratic schedule! A normal person usually keeps an almost regular schedule of departure and arrival to and from home and work. This schedule is usually within the bounds of plus/minus 15 minutes, with only random events and activities to break the pattern, and allows the attacker to plot out a strategy to intercept you. In this case, you simply have to break your routine schedule, shift around departure and arrival times so that each day is different from the next.
- Avoid routines - We all have our favorite places to go to at certain times of the day, some even have favorite seats in a coffeeshop or other mundane routines that can become tools that an assassin can use. To defeat his plans of attack simply change around the places where you go to, making each a random day-to-day decision. If possible keep your schedule and appointments only to yourself and those that you thrust.
- Be vigilant – No surveillance ever withstands the scrutiny of a alert eye. Take careful note of vehicles and people that seem to keep popping up in places where you go to. If you don’t know them and they appear behind you several times, parked a few feet from your house or office or traveling in the same direction that you are going – chances are they are tailing you. In such a case, take note of vehicle plate numbers, the color and model of the vehicle and the people on board. If they are parked near your house or near the place that you work at night, you can contact the policeman you have on speed dial and report the suspicious persons. If they are not there to accost you, their reaction to the policeman can be a good indication. But if they speed off at the sign of a police car, then you might have just prevented an attack on your life.
- Never travel alone – Whether with a friend or bodyguard, another person with you can be an extra deterrent to possible attackers. The person doesn’t have to be in the same car, another car (read: Chase Car) can even prove to be more effective since you can use it as another option just in case the attacker is able to incapacitate your vehicle.
- Mobility is your protection – Ever notice a presidential convoy moving at a fast rate despite traffic choked streets? This is a tactic that prevents would-be attackers from driving close to and effectively zeroing on a target vehicle or person. In your case, be mindful of cars beside, behind and in front of you. If a car appears to block your path with no clear reason why the driver is doing so (such as driving into a parking garage), chances are you are about to meet your attacker. To counter this, never tailgate and allow enough room for yourself to drive around a car in front of you. Move away from the site of an attempted ambush and you will gain more than just a 50% chance of surviving an attack.
- If they can see you, they can hit you – Driving in a jazzed up car with clear windows may get you noticed by the ladies, but it will also give you attacker a better chance to identify and target you. Now that you have a threat on your life, the more inconspicuous you are, the better. Drive to an auto-supply shop to have dark tints placed on your windows or better yet temporarily swap your car with a friend’s that already has dark tint. Swapping cars is the best option, since an attacker will no longer be familiar with the car you are using. But make sure that your friend does not live close by you, otherwise he might be mistaken for you when he drives your car.
- A gun is the last resort – Buying a gun to protect one’s self should be the last resort. It takes mental and emotional preparedness for a person to own a gun, because you will have to be responsible for it and anything the bullets hit once you fire it. Also, you must possess the right skills to wield the gun effectively. In case the decision to buy a firearm becomes unavoidable, chose one that is easy to use and shoot. A visit to a local gun range will allow you to try out different types of firearms and determine which one works for you best.
No Comments Yet
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
