Cars stolen in Luzon recovered by police in Visayas, Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines—Police have seized 26 motor vehicles believed stolen in Luzon then shipped to Central Mindanao and Western Visayas for resale, the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group said on Thursday.

The operations, which took place in January and February, were part of a special intelligence project dubbed Case Operation Plan “Inbox,” aimed at neutralizing the biggest carjacking network  uncovered last year in the two regions, HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said.

In a report to PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Espina said the operation targeted a syndicate whose modus operandi involved stealing vehicles in Luzon and then shipping them to Visayas and Mindanao to be resold there.

Sixteen of the cars were recovered in General Santos City and 10 were seized in Bacolod, Espina said.

In a statement, Bartolome said most of the “hot cars” recovered during the operations were traced to used car dealerships in Central Mindanao, whose owners had been subsequently charged with violation of Republic Act 6539, or the Anti-Carnapping Act, with the Department of Justice.

One of the suspects, Bong Mohamad Aquia, was charged on Tuesday with car theft after barangay councilman Joseph Salansang, who was earlier arrested by HPG for possession of a stolen Hyundai Starex van, identified Aquia as the source of the vehicle.

Investigation revealed that the van had been forcibly taken from a businessman in Angeles City and replaced with a license plate assigned to another car, which incidentally was registered under the name of show-biz personality Luis Manzano.

Also charged were four other respondents, including driver James Aguilar and Lucille Solon, the driver and registered owner, respectively, of a Toyota Fortuner with tampered engine and chassis numbers.

The probe further uncovered Aquia’s alleged involvement in other criminal cases, prompting the PNP to revoke last January his license to possess 29 firearms.

He has since been given reasonable time to surrender the guns, Espina said.

In a similar operation in Bacolod City and Cagayan de Oro City in November 2011, the HPG recovered 29 hot cars stolen in Luzon and sold to buyers in Visayas and Mindanao.