Cops in Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu eye car theft gang

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City Police is closely coordinating with the Mandaue City Police in addressing two incidents that authorities believe were carried out by the “Bukas-kotse” gang that allegedly operates both in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. Midday last Tuesday, John Michael Verga, 26, a pilot of a private company, lost his laptop worth P64,000; Airband transreceiver worth P15,000; Aviation headset worth P15,000, three pilot licenses and a pilot’s logbook to burglars. The items were inside his SUV that was parked at the Mactan Doctor’s Hospital.

When Verga returned to his car past 12 noon, he discovered that the left side rear glass window was already broken. No one reportedly witnessed the incident.

Just 15 minutes later, another SUV owned by Freddie Salimbangon, 53, the brother of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, was also burglarized. Freddie lost his Omega watch worth P60,000; a checkbook; and documents that were all placed inside a bag he left inside his vehicle. His SUV was parked at MB’s Tavern in Barangay Basak, just a few meters from the Mactan Doctor’s Hospital.

Just like Verga’s car, the windshield of Salimbangon’s car was also broken. The suspects broke the back windshield. No one witnessed the incident.

The two victims reported the incident to the Police Station 3 of the Lapu-Lapu City Police.

P/SSupt. Rey Lyndon Lawas said they are coordinating with the Mandaue Police because the two incidents might have been connected.

Last week, a businessman reported that burglars stole his P11,000 cash; 9mm pistol and other personal belongings from inside his car he had parked at a fast food chain. - THE FREEMAN