'Gaya-Gaya': 4 members of motorcycle theft syndicate nabbed

Four members of a suspected motorcycle theft syndicate were arrested in separate Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) operations in Caloocan and Antipolo City.

According to Emil Sumangil's 24 Oras report on Friday, HPG officers arrested Jose Sunga, Jr. and Kristiance Royce Escalante who allegedly stole a motorcycle from a house in Antipolo.

This was after a victim who joined a buy-and-sell group on Facebook spotted a photo of a motorcycle that was similar to his stolen unit. "Kamukhang-kamukha ng motor ko," he said.

The motorcycle, which had been sold, was recovered in Caloocan City along with three other scooter units. This was where the HPG arrested Keno Javier and Eric Reyes, who are Sunga and Escalante's alleged cohorts.

According to the PNP-HPG, the four suspects were members of a motorcycle theft syndicate dubbed the "Gaya-Gaya" group which trades stolen motorcycles using fake papers.

"Akala namin, Antipolo lang. But actually, kinuha rito, dinala sa Tondo. So may inter-link sila. Du'n ang seller,dito ang tiga kuha. so after that revelation, nakuha namin ang nagbebenta nito, ikinanta ang ibang grupo," Rizal PNP-HPG provincial chief Police Colonel Russel Barnacha said.

"Mayroon silang isang grupo, isang miyembro na may kilala sa CI ng isang financing, magbayad siya ng under the table para ma-approve-an ang kanyang request, so 'pag approved na, magda-down na ng motorcycles," he added.

The four suspects declined to give a statement.

The buyer, identified as Paul William Lopez, is also facing charges for purchasing stolen goods.

All motorcycle riders, especially those who are planning to purchase a unit, are advised to check with the HPG database of stolen motorcycles reported.

"Make sure na ipa-check muna sa (HPG) 'yung binibili kasi nasa amin ang listahan ng mga naka-alarm or hot vehicle...Pag bumili po kayo, always contact HPG for motor vehicle clearance," Barnacha said.

"Nakakapanghinayang kasi pinagtatrabahuan ko 'yun tapos nanakawin lang, so, ang sakit," the victim said. —Margaret Claire Layug/JST, GMA News