Couple in carnapping case back in Philippines after Thailand arrest

A Filipino couple facing carnapping charges has been sent back to the Philippines after being arrested in Thailand.

In a "24 Oras" Weekend report on Saturday, the two suspects identified as Louie David and Aurea Taruc were said to be on the red notice list of the Interpol for carnapping charges in the Philippines.

“Nagkaron tayo ng [we had a] coordination sa Interpol in Bangkok and they are subjected for red notice and we coordinated with DI sa Camp Crame,” said Police Brigadier General Remis Medina.

The police said the arrest warrant for the couple was released in September 2017 due to a carnapping charge filed in 2016. They both flew to Thailand in 2018 to escape.

David maintained that he did not steal the car, but admitted pawning it for P150,000 without the permission of the owner, who was a boss of his uncle.

He said he planned to get back the car, but could no longer find the person to whom it was pawned.  He added he gave an initial P40,000 for the vehicle and promised to pay for the balance.

However, when he started receiving death threats, David said he decided to escape to Thailand and work there as an English teacher.

David also stressed that his partner, Taruc, had no involvement on the case.

“We’re looking on the possibilities na may mga lalabas na mga tao na nakakakilala sa kanila na posibleng meron silang mga kakaharapin na kaso pa,” Medina said.

(We’re looking at the possibilities that there are people who know them who will go to us and that there are more cases to be filed against the couple.)

They are both currently jailed at the Criminal Investigation and Detection unit of the Quezon City Police District.—Giselle Ombay/LDF, GMA News