Carjack gang leaders may still operate even behind bars, DILG chief warns

Raymond Dominguez. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Even as the leaders of a known carjacking syndicate are behind bars, they may still be able to operate because they still have “influence, money, and go-to guys,” Interior and Local Government Secretay Jesse Robredo said Friday.

Robredo issued the statement a day after Cristina Bruan Rojas was killed.

Rojas was a witness in a car theft case involving the Dominguez brothers, the detained alleged leaders of a carjacking ring based in Bulacan.

“Because of the long period of time that they have been operating, they have developed influence, they have money and possibly, go-to guys,” said Robredo in Filipino.

But at the same time, Robredo cautioned investigators, saying that they should be open-minded about the case.

“Mahirap naman na tukuyin natin na pagtapos niya mag testigo sa carjacking, pinaslang sya, carjacking ‘yon. Dapat mas malawak yung panananaw at tignan lahat ng aggulo [It’s hard to say that after she testified, the carjackers are behind the killing just because she attended the hearing. We should look into all possible angles],” he said.
He said that DILG sent Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome a letter saying that other concerned police officers should help the Highway Patrol Group with the investigation.

Jamie Elona