PNP: 500 vehicles stolen as of June

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded at least 578 cars, vans, and motorcycles stolen from January to June 2010 nationwide.

The PNP Directorate for Operations recorded the theft of 274 motor vehicles and 304 motorcycles during the first six months of the year with Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon recording the highest number of cases.

Highway Patrol Group director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said they have intensified the campaign against car theft and have started information dissemination to advise the public on how to prevent being victimized by car thieves.

Espina said a total of 178 stolen motor vehicles were recovered as the PNP-HPG stepped up the anti-carjacking campaign during the first six months of 2010.

He added police arrested six suspected members of notorious carjacking syndicates during the series of operations.

Espina earlier directed all HPG Regional Units to hit hard against syndicates engaged in carjacking and highway robbery.

“The HPG is also intensifying monitoring and control of vehicles being shipped to other regions through the Philippine nautical highway to prevent trafficking of stolen vehicles to the provinces,” said Espina.

Latest to fall in the anti-carjacking drive is Edwin Madrigal, 39, leader of a notorious group operating in Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

Espina said Madrigal was gunned down in an encounter with Central Luzon HPG operatives in Meycauayan, Bulacan on Thursday.

Two victims have identified Madrigal as responsible in the carjacking of a Toyota Vios and an Isuzu DMax in Bulacan and Pampanga recently.