Local carnapping syndicate busted

CEBU, Philippines - Five suspected members of a local carnapping syndicate were arrested by the operatives of the Regional Highway Patrol Group Wednesday evening.

A police officer is also being investigated because of his possible involvement in the syndicate after he was traced to have brokered the sale of the stolen vehicle.

Nexson Jumao-as, Christian Dela Cruz, Ralph Ryan Catulong, Rey Gonzaga and Danilo Capillian were arrested in separate operations conducted by the RHPG operatives in Cebu City last Wednesday.

The arrest came about after one of the victims found his stolen vehicle inside the Cebu City Police Office headquarters at Camp Sotero Cabahug. Felix Enopia of sitio Nonoc Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City reported to the RHPG office last Tuesday that his Suzuki Multicab was stolen at 1:30 p.m. that day.

Enopia was told to present proof of ownership of his stolen vehicle. Since he was not able to bring it that time he was told to come back the following day.

To his surprise, Enopia saw his multicab parked inside the CCPO compound when he returned last Wednesday. 

“While I was parking my car at the parking area, I did not expect to find my stolen car within the area,” Enopia told The FREEMAN in Cebuano.

 Based on the investigation conducted by the HPG, a certain PO2 Arvin Hernandez has offered the vehicle for sale to Supt. Joselito Rodrigo, chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory in Central Visayas.

Hernandez, assigned to Regional Intelligence Division, is allegedly selling the vehicle for P25,000.

HPG investigator Eduardo Mara said they immediately summoned Hernandez for investigation. Upon investigation, Hernandez said he was only asked by Jumao-as, whom he admitted as friend, to sell the vehicle for a commission. Jumao-as was later invited for questioning leading to the arrest of his alleged cohorts.

Mara said Hernandez will be facing a separate administrative investigation for his involvement with the suspected carnappers.

According to Mara, the group is organized because they were able to transfer the registration of the stolen vehicle in just a short period of time.

The suspects who are currently detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Central Visayas headquarters were charged yesterday afternoon for violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

 Hernandez will also face the same on top of the administrative investigation he is now facing before the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division.  (FREEMAN)