TMG, NCRPO to synchronize anti-carjacking campaigns

The Traffic Management Group (TMG) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have teamed up to synchronize their anti-car theft and carjacking campaign, particularly in Metro Manila.

TMG director Chief Superintendent Errol Pan met with all anti-car theft units in Metro Manila under Director Vidal Querol "to harness the cooperation between the TMG and the local units in the crackdown against carjackers."

"The meeting is aimed at synchronizing and integrating the PNP anti-carnapping effort and to further enhance the reporting system when it comes to carnapping incidents in Metro Manila," Pan added.

During the conference, which the TMG chief described as "an anti-carnapping family coordinating conference," officials discussed the updated list of known gangs, especially those targeting luxury cars and SUVs and taking them at gunpoint.

Pan said other gangs target vehicles, mostly motorcycles, left unattended by owners.

The TMG chief also made mention of a particular group of car thieves posing as policemen. At least four groups are being monitored in Metro Manila by the TMG.

"We want to totally involve all police districts and stations in Metro Manila in the government effort to stop car theft," said Pan, who said this was in compliance with the directive of President Arroyo and Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao to address car theft incidents.

The President had ordered Lomibao and the TMG to give extra attention to car theft cases, which had reached alarming levels with at least three to six vehicles being stolen daily.

Under the term of Pan’s predecessor, Chief Superintendent Augusto Angcanan, a number car theft groups had been neutralized.

Pan said one of the campaign strategies was 24-hour police visibility in areas where car thieves often operate.