More victims step forward to file raps vs alleged leader of carjacking syndicate

MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) will file additional criminal complaints against the leader of a notorious carjacking syndicate after two of its alleged victims came forward.

In a statement on Friday, QCPD director Police Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the police will file additional charges against 24-year-old Martin Dioquino, identified as the leader of the Dioquino carjacking group and listed as a “most wanted person.”

Police said Dioquino was arrested around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, in Marikina City, by virtue of a warrant of arrest for violating the Anti-Fencing Law.

After Dioquino’s arrest, two alleged victims, identified as Rafael Ang Jr. and Mel Rebulado on Thursday, Jan. 12, positively identified the suspect as the person who stole their motorcycles, the QCPD said.

According to the police, the victims said their motorcycles, parked in front of their houses, went missing on Dec. 15, 2022, and Jan. 3, 2023.

When police showed the victims the motorcycles recovered from Dioquino, they positively identified that they were stolen. This, police said, prompts the additional filing of charges for violations of the New Anti-Carnapping Law and the Anti-Fencing Law against the suspect.

Meanwhile, the QCPD is still conducting continuous manhunt operations to arrest Dioquino’s cohorts.

Torre said the QCPD had recorded 1,247 carnapping incidents in the city since 2018 up to the present.

“I urge other victims of this carnapping group to come to our office and file a formal complaint,” he said.

READ: Man nabbed in QC for trying to sell stolen motorcycle online 

JPV