HPG: Car theft ring leader in South left for Bangkok

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Authorities have confirmed earlier reports that suspected car theft ring leader Ryan “Baktin” Yu had left for Bangkok, Thailand and failed to return to the country Tuesday night when he was expected to take his return flight to Manila. 

Chief Superintendent Arazzad Subong, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director, said Yu indeed left for Bangkok last Oct. 23 although he did not come home as expected on Tuesday night. 

Subong arrived here yesterday morning to meet with HPG personnel in Southern Mindanao to discuss pursuit operations against Yu’s group. 

Yu, who has a P5-million bounty, remains a fugitive. He is suspected to be the head of a car theft syndicate operating in Mindanao blamed for more than 50 stolen vehicles that were recovered in a series of raids in the cities of Davao, General Santos, Butuan, Tagum, Tandag and Surigao recently.

This developed as Yu’s long-time driver has surrendered to authorities here.

Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, Davao City police chief, said Mark Daquiado, 26, who has reportedly been Yu’s driver since 2010 and was also said to have been in-charge of processing documents for the stolen vehicles, has given himself up. 

Daquiado reportedly had to surrender out of fear for his life after authorities have launched a massive manhunt not only for Yu but for his accomplices as well. 

Daquiado was reportedly accompanied by his wife and father when he surrendered to the authorities. He opted to be in the custody of the Davao City police for his safety.