Cops recover 20 carnapped cars

CEBU, Philippines – At least 20 motor vehicles believed to have been carnapped from the different cities in Luzon, particularly in Metro Manila, were recovered by the police in Central Visayas for the period of January 5 to March 27 this year.

The anti-carnapping operations that resulted to the confiscation of the 20 vehicles were conducted by joint elements of Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) led by Intelligence chief Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, and Highway Patrol Group-7 (HPG-7) led by the unit’s chief, Sr. Supt. Antonio Gardiola.

The operations were done by the teams under the supervision of PRO-7 director Chief Supt. Federico Terte in the effort to curb the sale of carnapped vehicles in the region.

According to Gardiola, most of the recovered vehicles were being sold by “market personalities” identified as Reynold dela Torre of Vanz Auto Square and Alma Gonzales of G&A Motors.

Gardiola said there is no carnapping incident in Cebu so far, as most of these incidents happened in Manila. However, the vehicles are being brought and sold in Cebu, he added.

Further, Gardiola said there are “personalities” in Cebu province as well as the provinces of Davao and Cagayan de Oro that facilitate in the production of documents of the carnapped vehicles.

The HPG-7 chief said that appropriate charges have already been filed against Gonzales and dela Torre in the court.

Both Terte and Gardiola forewarned the vehicle-buying public to be cautious about buying low-cost motor vehicles and not be lured by some unscrupulous “buy and sell” personalities who sell the supposedly expensive cars at considerably cheap prices.

From December 2 to 8, HPG-7 recovered 15 vehicles, three of which were allegedly carnapped and sold by Gonzales. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB  (THE FREEMAN)