Police warned on car theft rise during poll season

Various groups, including car owners, car dealers and insurance firms, have urged concerned law enforcement agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP), to step up their anti-car theft campaign this year in view of the forthcoming elections.

Statistics gathered from reliable sources shows that car thefts increase from 10 to 35 percent during an election year.

Records show that in 2001, there were 871 car thefts compared to 642 in 2000, while in 2004, there were 773 incidents compared to 706 in the previous year.

In 1998, another election year, there were 841 car thefts reported.

"Obviously, there is a correlation between election periods and high rates of car thefts that our law enforcers should carefully take note now that the election season is upon us," a source said.

Statistics covering a nine-year period, from 1998 to 2006, also showed that car thefts were higher during the months of March, May, July and August. It was lowest in November and December.

About 6,450 vehicles from all over the country were stolen during that period.

During the nine-year period, the lowest number of car thefts was registered during an 11-month period last year with only 302 incidents compared with 735 in 2005, or a decline of 61 percent. The highest was in 2001.

Sources said the huge decline in car thefts last year could be attributed to better and more aggressive anti-car theft efforts by the PNP and other law enforcement agencies.

"If the 2006 statistics is any indication, it means that anytime our police and other law enforcers take a more aggressive action and implement necessary measures, car thefts can be brought to a very low minimum," a source said.

The sources said car theft is not only a peace and order problem that affects a few people.

"It is also an economic problem that affects the automotive industry and other corollary businesses, eventually hurting the economy in some other ways, too," they said.