Seven vehicles stolen daily nationwide

The Philippine National Police Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG) noted a considerable increase in car thefts nationwide with at least seven vehicles stolen daily, or 1,322 vehicles from January to June.

TMG statistics showed that Metro Manila registered the highest number of car thefts with no less than 914 vehicles carnapped during the first six months of the year, or five vehicles stolen daily.

Next are Southern Tagalog with 150 stolen vehicles and Central Luzon with 136 stolen cars from January to June.

New TMG chief Senior Superintenent Danilo Mangila said police are monitoring the activities of about five carjacking syndicates operating in the Metro Manila area.

He said police have already arrested 94 carjackers and recovered 586 of the 1,322 stolen vehicles but vowed to intensify the TMG’s anti-carnapping operations.

Mangila said car theft syndicates are now targeting brand-new luxury vehicles which they can send to other Southeast Asian nations, especially Malaysia and Indonesia.

However, he said most stolen vehicles are sold in Mindanao or the Visayas and even registered with the Land Transportation Office through corrupt personnel of the agency. – Jaime Laude