Use anticar theft devices, police urge motorists

Car owners are being asked to install global positioning system (GPS) and engine immobilizer devices as an anticar theft measure against carjackers who often take their victims for a joyride before abandoning them.

Superintendent Ferdinand Villanueva, of the Quezon City Police District Anti-Carnapping Unit (Dacu), said the victims cannot immediately call the police if they are held captive by thieves in their own vehicles.

Car owners still have a chance of recovering their vehicles because the GPS can trace the location even if these have been stolen.

The engine immobilizer, meanwhile, shuts down the engine through certain commands on a cell phone linked to the device.

Villanueva issued the advisory following a string of car theft cases last week involving three men who took their victims for a ride before dropping them off elsewhere.

Onad gang

The incidents began on Aug. 24, ending in five stolen vehicles in the past week.

The car theft cases are believed to be the handiwork of former members of the Onad gang.

Villanueva said that in such instances, the victims are not able to call the police at once, and chances are the suspects have already escaped.

He also reminded motorists to check anyone acting suspiciously close to    their vehicles.

The Dacu is also conducting aggressive intelligence and surveillance operations to hunt down the perpetrators of the recent carjacking incidents.

Policemen have been deployed on beat patrol in identified car theft-prone areas.

Patrol cars are also manning Quezon City’s borders and exit points to block fleeing suspects.