Bongbong cousin loses SUV in Malate

MANILA, Philippines - One of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s cousins, who is also a provincial board member of Ilocos Norte, lost his sport utility vehicle (SUV) while it was parked in Malate, Manila Wednesday.

Mariano Marcos II – whose father, Pacifico, is a brother of former President Ferdinand Marcos – filed his complaint at the Manila Police District (MPD) immediately after discovering the carjacking.

In a phone interview, Marcos, who lives in Mandaluyong City, said he and his wife had just watched a late movie when they came across a friend of their daughter, whom they decided to give a ride home in Malate.

Marcos said he parked his silver 2003 model Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia (XJW-720) in front of a house along Dominga near Pablo Ocampo street. They accompanied the woman to her house, where they stayed for at least 30 minutes. He said when they went out, the vehicle was gone.

“It (carjacking) happened so fast despite the vehicle being securely locked,” he said.

Marcos said they did not hear the engine being started. He believes the carjackers used gadgets to steal his SUV.

MPD intelligence chief Superintendent Ernesto Fojas Jr. said they are checking carjackers who are experts in stealing SUVs and an alarm has been flashed in all police districts.