PNP-HPG agents nab 5, recover 5 stolen vehicles
STEPPED-UP anti-carnapping operations by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of five stolen motor vehicles, PNP-HPG director Brigadier General William M. Segun said yesterday.
A black Lexus ES350 3.5 with plate no. NCX 3822 was recovered at the parking lot of Okada Hotel in Parañaque City by members of the National Capital Region Highway Patrol Unit under Colonel Joel B. Jucutan on Christmas Day.
According to its registered owner, Korean national Sungeok Cho, the vehicle was stolen while parked unattended in front of the residence of his relatives in Barangay Tibig in Silang, Cavite.
The NCR-RHPU investigation showed that the Korean swapped his BMW 520 for the Lexus following a negotiation with one “Lucas Sy.”
Two other vehicles — a Mitsubishi Expander with plate no. DAJ 2226 and a Toyota Vios with plate no. NKB 3085 — were recovered by the Rizal Provincial Highway Patrol Unit last December 27, said the official.
Brig. Gen. Segun said members of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 4-A under Colonel Rommel C. Estolano are now investigating a 32-year-old resident of Mabuhay Homes in Binangonan, Rizal in connection with the theft of the vehicles.
He said the probe started when a house loan consultant from Angono sought the Rizal Provincial Highway Patrol Team in investigating the case of the Expander which was not returned after being rented by the accused last December 23.
The investigation showed that when the two agreed to meet in Binangonan for the return of the Expander, the accused told owner that the vehicle was undergoing repair and instead offered the Vios which she can use temporarily.
The probe later showed that the Vios was also rented by the suspect. The two vehicles were eventually recovered by the Rizal RHPU which has decided to file formal charges against the suspect.
The fourth vehicle — a Toyota Innova with conduction sticker AOJ 788 — was recovered by RHPU3 officers led by Major Pepito Chanliongco in Guagua, Pampanga last Dec. 26.
A “Jefferson Est,” 39, of Floridablanca town, is now being probed for possession of a stolen vehicle.
Brig. Gen. Segun said the wagon had the conduction sticker AOJ 899 when recovered. The possessor said his officemate named ‘”Aljan” sold the vehicle to him for P600,000 in January 2018.
Another Toyota Vios with plate no. DBP 3264 involved in another “rent-tangay-benta” scheme was recovered by RHPU-NCR officers in Batangas City.
The car turned out to have been sold to a resident of Barangay Luya in San Luis, Batangas for P480,000 by one “Nathan” who during questioning said the vehicle was sold to his mother by one “Eirra Par.”
The red Vios had the original plate no. DBP 3264.
The stolen car was recovered through a GPS tracker installed by the complainant.
Brig. Gen. Segun said one of the suspects identified as Ryan Manalang, 26, a resident of Las Piñas City, was arrested on Dec. 30 by members of the NCR-RHPU men for violation of Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act issued by a local court with no bail recommended.
Another suspect identified as Rose Butay was arrested by Cordillera RHPU agents under Col. Narciso Langcauon last Dec. 23 in Irisan, Baguio City.
Brig. Gen. Segun said the accused is the subject of a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 issued by Judge Maria Ligaya Itliong-Rivera of the Baguio City RTC Branch 5 last September 3; a second warrant for estafa through falsification of public document issued by Judge Ruth Bawayan of the Baguio City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 6 last November 15; and a warrant for violation of the anti-bouncing check law issued by Judge Itliong-Rivera last Nov. 15.
