Ex-anti-crime czar’s son loses Pajero to carjackers

Not even a son of former anti-crime czar and now Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes was spared by car thieves.

Reyes’ son Angelito lost his black Mitsubishi Pajero with license plates XAU-931, while it was parked along Matahimik street in Teacher’s Village in Quezon City the other night.

The young Reyes was reportedly visiting a friend in the area when the theft occurred at around 9 p.m. Thursday. It was not known, however, how long the vehicle was left unattended.

Police have yet to locate witnesses who could describe and identify the car thieves.

Reyes, a former secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, used to head the government’s anti-crime task force, which tracked down criminals ranging from kidnappers and smugglers to robbers and car thieves. It was during his term as DILG chief and anti-crime czar when crimes like car theft decreased.

But according to Philippine National Police—Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG) director Chief Superintendent Errol Pan, the case of the young Reyes was considered "isolated."

"TMG operatives are now investigating the case but we want to make it clear that that case is an isolated one," Pan told The STAR. He pointed out that car theft dropped to an average two cars a day from four to five in the past.

Pan said investigators are now tracking down the car thieves. "May isang grupo pa kaming mino-monitor (We are monitoring one group), we hope to get them and the vehicle as soon as possible," he said, but refused to elaborate on the group’s description.

He maintained that the TMG has sustained the campaign against car thieves, and "there will be no letup in the campaign against car theft."

Just recently, police recovered a foreign diplomat’s Mitsubishi Montero that was stolen while parked on Canberra street in Green Park Subdivision in Pasig City. — With Jezzamae Balmeo