Big car-theft ring busted, says PNP

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Friday that it had “broken the backbone” of a carjacking ring believed responsible for some 20 percent of car theft cases in Metro Manila following a series of operations in Bacolod City and Cagayan de Oro City.

PNP Director Gen. Nicanor A. Bartolome said he was confident that the neutralization of the Baktin group, which he identified as among the Top Five car-theft syndicates, would lead to a “significant reduction” in carjacking and car-theft cases in the country.

He said the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group led by Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina successfully scattered the members of the Baktin group with the seizure and recovery of 23 stolen motor vehicles in Bacolod City and six more in Cagayan de Oro City.

He said follow-up operations were now under way to recover more stolen vehicles that had been shipped by the syndicate to the Visayas and Mindanao.

Investigators said the modus operandi of the Baktin group involved actual carjacking of the vehicles in Luzon, interisland shipment, revision of vehicle identification numbers, making spurious vehicle registration documents and resale of the stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Bartolome issued an appeal to the public “to be very cautious when buying used motor vehicles.”

“Carjacking syndicates are known to use this facility to pass off stolen motor vehicles to unsuspecting buyers. Check with HPG first before putting your investment on a second-hand motor vehicle,” he said.

Bartolome said he had directed the HPG to sustain the momentum of its thrust against car thefts and highway robberies and to ensure road safety on major thoroughfares.