MANILA, Philippines--A police operation to recover a missing van led to the recovery of some P10-million worth of “chopped up” stolen vehicle parts and the arrest of three suspected car thieves in Malabon City, police said Saturday.

Chief Supt. Orlando Mabutas, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) head, identified those arrested in the raid on a warehouse at 74-A Bonifacio St., Barangay Tugatog, as Emiliano Bareno, Ruel Oberos and Reymel Hernandez.

“The suspects used the warehouse to store and dismantle carnapped vehicles,” Mabutas told the Inquirer.

He said the suspects named the financier of the group during questioning.

“The arrested men said [the financier] sold the ‘chop-chop’ vehicle parts to shops selling secondhand spare parts in Banawe, Quezon City, and other areas,” he said.

Mabutas said HPG agents swooped down on the warehouse at 3 p.m. on Friday after receiving a tip that an Isuzu Sportivo forcibly taken from its owner by armed men on board a Mitsubishi Pajero and a Toyota Tamaraw in Sampaloc, Manila, was seen in the vicinity.

HPG agents led by Chief Insp. Ophelio Concina Jr. quickly deployed to the area to conduct a surveillance, Mabutas said.

He said the agents accosted Bareno as he came out of the warehouse driving an Isuzu Elf loaded with used motorcycle spare parts.

The suspect, he said, had a .45-cal. pistol tucked in his waist.

Oberos and Hernandez were arrested on board a Mitsubishi FB van that was filled with truck spare parts.

“Our operatives then saw through the open gate the stolen Isuzu Sportivo in the warehouse, prompting them to enter the compound,” Mabutas said.

He said the operatives were “surprised” to discover six vehicles believed to have been stolen and vehicle parts.

He said there were also car license plates in the warehouse.

Cases of violation of Republic Act No. 6539, or the Anti-Carnapping Law, will be filed against the suspects, Mabutas said.