MANILA, Philippines--A party-list congressman's personal car?his only vehicle, in fact?was stolen while it was parked in front of the Bayan Muna office in Quezon City Thursday.

Riel Custodio, the driver and bodyguard of Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, said he discovered the theft at around 5 a.m., hours before he was supposed to fetch the congressman at the airport.

?I got up early because I was planning to wash the car because my boss is set to arrive from the US today (Thursday). But when I looked outside to check, the car was gone,? he told the Inquirer.

According to Custodio, he left the car?a blue green 1997 Toyota Corolla with plate number UUT 120?the night before on the sidewalk in front of the militant group?s office at 45-K7th St. in Barangay West Kamias, Quezon City.

Immediately after discovering the theft, Custodio went to the Anonas police station to ask for help.

The police later referred the case to the Quezon City Police District?s anticar theft unit headed by Senior Insp. Rodelio Marcelo.

Marcelo told the Inquirer that they have already issued an alert for the missing vehicle.

Custodio, 32, told the police that he left the car at around 3 p.m. in front of the Bayan Muna office since there was already another vehicle parked in the garage.

When he got up at 5 a.m. Thursday, the car was already gone.

?As far as I can recall, there were books and other personal effects of my boss inside the car, including the number ?8? plate issued to him by the House of Representatives,? he added.

?I already told our chief of staff, lawyer Jonel Torigosa, about the theft and it has been relayed to my boss. My problem now is how to fetch my boss from the airport because he?s due to arrive [tonight],? Custodio said.

Colmenares was in the United States to attend a conference of the National Union of Peoples? Lawyers.