Suspected car theft ringleader posts P1.4-M bail

DAVAO CITY , Philippines   â€“ The suspected leader of a car theft syndicate, who has eluded arrest, has posted P1.4-million bail in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur for the charges filed against him here. 

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte earlier had put up a P6-million bounty for the arrest of Ryan Caine “Baktin” Yu tagged in a series of car thefts not only in this city but also in other key areas in Mindanao.

After posting bail, Yu signed a written statement that the cases against him would be heard even if he fails to appear in court hearings. 

The Regional Trial Court Branch 16 here, which is hearing the car theft charges against Yu, has been informed of Yu’s bail by Tandag City RTC Branch 27 Judge Edwin Malazarte.

Duterte lamented how Yu was able to post bail and elude arrest despite police operations against him.

“But nevertheless, I respect Yu’s democratic right to post bail. That is covered by law,” he said.

Yu’s alleged syndicate has been touted as one of the biggest car theft rings in Mindanao, accounting for at least 90 percent of cases in the Davao region.

Authorities said the group, which could steal a vehicle in just less than 60 seconds as closed-circuit TV footage in Tagum City showed, has links with other car theft syndicates in Cebu.

Duterte said Yu apparently knows some influential people, thus he was able to elude arrest for almost a year before returning to the country and posting bail.