MANILA, Philippines?Car owners who falsely declare their flood-damaged vehicles as "lost" or "carjacked" to claim insurance are criminally liable for fraud, the Philippine National Police warned Saturday.

National Capital Region Police Office Director Roberto Rosales said he has received reports of a rise in the number of stolen vehicles in Metro Manila but these turned out to be bogus claims made by those wanting to cash in on the their comprehensive car insurance policies.

Although the car owners may have been victims of two recent cyclones?"Ondoy" (international codename: Ketsana) and "Pepeng" (Parma)? Rosales said this should not be used to make false insurance claims.

The fake claims also resulted in a seemingly big spike in the number of reported stolen vehicles in Metro Manila that did not give a true picture of extent of car thefts to the NCRPO, which has been waging a relentless campaign against car robbery.

The NCRPO's anti-carjack operation has resulted in the recovery of 26 four-wheeled vehicles and 19 motorcycles and the arrest of 14 suspects, including two policemen.

Rosales reported that the average number of vehicles stolen in Metro Manila has gone down from six a day in 2008 to four this year.

The Metro police director said insurance companies should be wary of false claims submitted by typhoon victims.

He said those found in possession of the vehicles reported lost would also face criminal prosecution.