Paranormal Expert Jaime Licauco writes about the Hypno Thief

“The use of hypnosis to commit crimes is not really new in the Philippines. We've long heard many stories of store cashiers voluntarily handing over the cash in the register to a stranger, usually described as Indian-looking, after being hypnotized into doing so. When the stranger leaves the store with the cash, the cashier awakens from her trance wondering what had happened to her.”

You can read his two articles about it at:

1
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20081006-164928/Criminals-now-use-hypnosis-to-rob-people

2
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20081020-167502/Criminals-who-use-hypnosis

armed with guns and magical amulets

There are been several incidents in Philippine history when policemen or the military encountered people who armed themselves with so-called magical amulets.

So far, there have been no known reports of these people surviving when the law men opened fire.

Amulets clues to suspected robbers in Makati shootout
By DJ Yap, Philippine Daily Inquirer, First Posted 08/29/2008

The identities of the suspected robbers who engaged the police in a gunfight in the middle of a Makati street Thursday remained unknown but the police said Friday they had uncovered some clues about the group.

The clues included amulets they wore that were similar to those worn by the suspects who staged a P2.7 million heist along Gil Puyat Avenue in front of Caltex gas station in June, in which two of the suspects died, the police said.

READ THE COMPLETE REPORT AT:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080829-157614/Amulets-clues-to-suspected-robbers-in-Makati-shootout