ACT-CIS lawmaker wants theft in parking areas probed

The car of ACT-CIS Rep. Rowena “Niña” Taduran was ransacked by “basag kotse” thieves at a mall in Quezon City on Jan. 6. (Photo courtesy of Quezon City Police District)

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Niña Taduran of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) party-list wants to have cases of theft in guarded parking buildings and lots investigated after she herself fell victim to such a crime.

On Monday afternoon, Taduran’s car was ransacked while parked at a mall in Quezon City. Her belongings were stolen, including a laptop, cellphone, jewelry, and ATM cards.

She said on Tuesday that she was planning to file a resolution calling for a probe of such incidents, which would eventually be consolidated into a bill.

Taduran added that parking establishments should be made liable for the losses and damage to vehicles inside their premises.

“We pay exorbitant fees for parking and yet these establishments can’t provide the assurance that our vehicles will be safe from theft and damage,” Taduran said in a statement.

Unidentified thieves smashed the window of Taduran’s sports utility vehicle while it was parked at the third level parking area at a mall.

They were able to take a laptop worth P60,000, a cellphone worth P97,000, a shoulder bag, necklace worth P40,000, a pendant worth P5,000, assorted ATM cards, P8,000 in cash, assorted government IDs, and two cellphone chargers.

The case was turned over to the Quezon City Police District – Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

READ: ACT-CIS rep’s SUV falls victim to ‘basag kotse’ thieves in QC mall