MPD: Arrested suspect belongs to airport carjack gang

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed yesterday that a drunk carjack suspect who was arrested for beating a red light Sunday night is a member of a robbery-carjack gang that preys on airport visitors.

Manila Police District officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla made the announcement after the owner of a stolen white Hyundai Starex van (VCM-940) identified Allan Castillo as one of at least six men in a black Hyundai Sta. Fe that cut across their path after the victims fetched a relative at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sept. 6.

According to car owner Evangeline Vitualla, the robbers, armed with long and short firearms, reportedly introduced themselves as members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The robbers divested their victims of passports and travel documents and cash, jewelry, laptops, cameras and cell phones totaling more than P1 million.

The armed men ordered them to disembark and drove off with the van towards Cavite, according to Vitualla.

Castillo was arrested by the police after he allegedly ignored traffic lights and hit several cars as he drove along Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila Sunday night.

Chief Inspector Randy Maluyo, the head of the MPD’s anti-carnapping section, said Castillo failed to produce his driver’s license and the car’s registration papers. Castillo told police he was only asked to sell the car to any interested buyer for P30,000 by a certain “Noli del Castro” of Tondo.

Rongavilla said the car owner, who turned out to be Vitualla, was traced through records at the Highway Patrol Group and the Land Transportation Office.

Also yesterday, Annalyn Sugay identified Castillo as one of several armed men who robbed her of at least P500,000 in cash and jewelry when she parked her Mitsubishi Pajero (XSB-686) in front of her residence in Gagalangin, Tondo after she fetched a relative from the NAIA on Aug. 27. The suspects also took her vehicle.

“The gang may have an insider at the airport who tipped them of arrivals with expensive baggage. The gang usually strikes when the driver or occupants of their target vehicle are mostly women,” Maluyo said.   

Rongavilla called on robbery and carjack victims, especially those victimized after coming from the airport, to come to the MPD to identify the arrested suspect.

He also directed Maluyo and his men to determine the identities and whereabouts of the other gang members.