MANILA, Philippines - Government authorities believed they have busted the largest car theft syndicate in the country after identifying and filing charges against three “kingpins” and recovering 29 stolen vehicles during a nearly three-week operation.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome personally went to Bacolod City yesterday to check the stolen vehicles recovered there.
“I am pleased to announce that the PNP has successfully broken the backbone of an organized syndicated crime group engaged in carjacking and trafficking in stolen motor vehicles,” he said.
He said the 29 motor vehicles recovered by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) were stolen by the Baktin Group based in Northern Mindanao.
HPG director Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the suspected kingpins – Osmond Ray Dalugdog; Ryan Yu, alias Baktin; and Mac Lester Reyes – have been charged before the Department of Justice.