Quezon City is again RP's car theft capital

Quezon City has retained its notoriety as the country's car theft capital, House Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas (LAMP, Cebu) said yesterday.

Citing data from the Philippine National Police Traffic Management Group, Gullas said nearly one out of every four car theft cases reported last year took place in Quezon City.

He said 448 vehicles were reported stolen in Quezon City, 214 in Makati, 169 in Manila, 107 in Mandaluyong, 93 in Pasig, 61 in Pasay, 58 in Caloocan, 57 in San Juan, 50 in Las Piñas, 45 in Parañaque, 34 in Valenzuela, 21 in Taguig, 18 in Marikina, 15 in Muntinlupa, 14 in Malabon, five in Navotas and one in Pateros.

All over the country, a total of 1,901 vehicles were stolen. Of that number, 1,140 or nearly 75 percent were taken in Metro Manila.

However, Gullas said last year's car theft cases dropped compared to the 2,492 reported in 1998.

He said the House would help law enforcement authorities run after car thieves by strengthening Republic Act 6539, the Anti-Car Theft Law.

He added that the chamber is likely to approve a bill that would make mere possession of a vehicle without an accompanying document of sale a prima facie evidence that the user is a car thief. --