CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A top official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Pampanga recently disclosed that carnapping incidents in the province increased to an alarming rate from January to June this year.
Based on statistics presented by Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, provincial police director, there were about 96 reported carnapping incidents, or one vehicle is carnapped every other day during the said period.
Only 35 of the carnapped vehicles were recovered and 15 persons involved were arrested, he said.
He added that appropriate charges were filed in court against the suspects.
Tinio said the provincial police have been relentless in the campaign against carnapping. Security measures were tightened to ensure that criminal elements involved in carnapping will have no opportunity to operate in the province, he said.
The provincial police office created a Task Group called "Sale" (Sencil, Atienza, Lozano, and Evangelista) to address the growing problem on carnapping. Likewise, a special investigation task group "Lozano" was created for case tracking.
During the first quarter of this year, a search warrant was implemented at "D", Block 3, Lot 1A, Greenville Commercial Complex, Barangay San Jose, this city, believed to be a safehouse maintained by the Domingo carnapping group.
This resulted in the confiscation of one green Mitsubishi Pajero, one Ford Expedition, 20 pieces of assorted licensed plates, two caliber 45 pistols, one caliber 9mm, 100 pieces of assorted keys for motor vehicles and assorted spare tires.
The police also implemented a search warrant at the residence of certain Jose Randolph Enriquez on Jay Street Green Meadow Phase 2, Mabiga, Mabalacat town. Three carnapped vehicles including Mitsubishi Montero Sports, Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda VTEC were recovered.
Another search warrant was implemented at the apartment rented by one Jayson Nakpil in Villa De San Agustin, Sitio Dalisdis, San Pedro Camuning in Mexico town. A Toyota Elf and Mitsubishi Grandis Wagon were recovered.
In a related development, Mc Lester Reyes, a resident of Caloocan City, Metro Manila, also a member of Salvatiera robbery-carnapping group operating in Manila, Angeles City, Tarlac, Bulacan and Pampanga was arrested for violations of Presidential Decree 1866, reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and falsification of documents.
