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Azurin: Intensify crackdown vs car theft, highway crimes

August 6, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 589 views

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. yesterday ordered the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to further intensify their campaign against car theft, hijacking, and highway robbery syndicates in the country as part of their intensified anti-criminality campaign.

The top cop mainly ordered PNP-HPG Director Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil to continue accounting for all persons wanted for violation of Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Law of 2016, as well as those facing standing warrants of arrest for hijacking, highway robbery, and other serious criminal offenses.

Following the PNP chief’s instruction, six wanted car theft personalities were hauled to jail by agents of the National Capital Region Highway Patrol Unit (NCRHPU) of the PNP-HPG in a series of recent anti-carnapping operations.

In a report to the PNP chief, Marbil said that the six suspects were arrested by members of the HPG-NCR Field Unit headed by Lt. Col. Joel L. Mendoza.

Marbil said that one of the suspects was arrested in Bgy. Dao in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur on the strength of arrest warrants for carnapping, syndicated estafa, and three counts of estafa.

Listed by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 4-A as one of the most wanted men in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region, the suspect was ordered arrested by a court for violation of Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Law of 2016 on May 12, 2021; two warrants for syndicated estafa issued respectively last February 17 and Mach 18; and a warrant for three counts of estafa issued last July 1.

The Southern Metro Manila Highway District Patrol Team led by Maj. Oliver M. Galarpe, with the support of the PNP-CIDG Zamboanga del Sur, tracked down and arrested the suspect.

Two others, both wanted for violation of RA 10883, were arrested in a hot pursuit operation conducted by Northern District HPT led by Capt. Joey M. Ilac and the Northern Police District Anti-Crime Unit.

Recovered from the possession of the duo was a stolen motorcycle.

On the other hand, the Northern District HPT members led by Maj. Edgardo A. Santiago arrested two other suspects in separate manhunt operations.

One of the two suspects was arrested in his residence in Binangonan, Rizal based on a warrant issued by Judge Acerey Pacheco of the Marikina City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 160, while the 2nd suspect with the alias “Samson” was apprehended in Taytay, Rizal, on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Nicanor Manalo Jr. of the Pasig City RTC Br. 161.

Both suspects were each ordered to post P300,000 bail for their temporary liberty.

“Samson” was previously arrested by Taytay Municipal Police Station members for the sale and possession of prohibited drugs under RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspect is believed to be involved in robbery-holdup and car theft activities.

The 6th suspect was arrested by members of the HPG-NCR Intelligence Division led by Maj. Anselmo A. Chulipa on the strength of a warrant for violation of RA 10883 issued by Judge Lovely Concepcion Matillano-Chavez of the Makati City RTC Br. 57.

The Makati judge set a P300,000 bail for the temporary liberty of the accused.

Marbil commended the HPG-NCR for its series of anti-criminality accomplishments vis-à-vis their stepped-up enforcement of traffic laws, including the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, blinkers, and other gadgets in private vehicles in Metro Manila.

Last July, the HPG-NCR accounted for eight wanted persons and issued 1,771 Temporary Official Receipts or TOPs and 37,100 Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVRs) to erring motorists apprehended in different parts of the metropolis.

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