2 carjack suspects caught dismantling stolen car

Manila, Philippines - Two suspected carjackers were arrested by the Manila police while reportedly in the act of dismantling a stolen vehicle in Sta. Mesa, Manila Wednesday.

Carnapping charges were filed yesterday against Marvin Padolina, 45, and Oliver Pagan, 31, after a dismantled maroon Kia Pride (PTJ-947) was identified by its owner, Leonardo Cuyugan, 29, according to Manila Police District’s Chief Inspector Joie Pacito Yape Jr.

Yape said Cuyugan reported his vehicle was stolen while it was parked in front of his house in Sta. Mesa on May 8.

Cuyugan himself discovered his vehicle being dismantled at a compound in Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and immediately reported his find to the police.

Yape said the two suspects were surprised and even tried to run away, but were apprehended by policemen posted around the compound.

Yape said the two are undergoing interrogation to determine the extent of their illegal operation and the supposed buyers of the stolen vehicles.   

Meanwhile, the MPD has seized and impounded a total of six taxicabs and 10 motorcycles since May 1 after they were found to have questionable documents during intensified “spotting” operations.

The vehicles were seized in Moriones in Tondo and Bambang and Blumentritt in Sta. Cruz, Manila using handheld Blackberry units linked to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) database, according to Yape.

Taxicab drivers were flagged down for traffic violations, and their vehicle’s license plates were checked with the LTO database.

Most of the seized taxicabs were verified to be using different sets of license plates. “This is dangerous since their passengers, in case of emergency, cannot trace the owners of the taxi cab unit since when verified the license plates are registered to another vehicle,” Yape told The STAR.

Other seized taxicabs were found to share the same license plate number as another vehicle.

The motorcycles were also verified as stolen from their real owners, according to the LTO database. Yape, however, lamented that most of the seized motorcycles were either owned or are being used by policemen themselves. “The motorcycles are being used by AWOL (absent without official leave) cops or those facing charges,” Yape revealed.

He added that he was compelled not to file charges against his peers, but impounded the vehicles for return to its rightful owners. “Most of my colleagues harbor ill feelings against me for sticking with the rule of law,” Yape commented.

At the same time, he warned the public against buying low-cost vehicles, especially motorcycles, since they could have questionable documents.