Car thefts down–PNP

MANILA, Philippines—Motor vehicle thieves are not as busy as they used to, with the number of car thefts dropping by a quarter in the first half of the year compared to the same period a year ago, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

Supt. Edwin Butacan, HPG spokesperson, said there were 547 car thefts nationwide from January to June compared to 739 in the first half of 2011, representing a 26 percent decline.

The fall in the incidence of car theft and carjacking cases was most felt in June when only 49 were recorded, down by 69 percent from 159 incidents documented in June 2011, the official said in a briefing with reporters at Camp Crame.