Car theft figures in QC down 19% in first half of 2008

MANILA, Philippines - Car theft incidents in Quezon City during the first six months of the year decreased by 19.11 percent compared to last year, statistics released by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday showed. Data showed that from January to June 2008, 55 four-wheeled vehicles were reported stolen compared to last year’s 68 incidents of car theft. The QCPD attributed the decrease due to intensified police anti-carjacking operations in the city. “Presently, the QCPD continues to monitor, study, and draw assessment from previously identified carnapping activities and possible root causes as references to current developments," said the police report. The report said that car theft figures in Quezon City have been on the decline since 2001. It noted that in 2001, police recorded 650 incidents of car theft which went down to 136 in 2007. Among the problems contributing to the number of carjacking cases include the lack of anti-theft and security devices as well as car garages that leave vehicles vulnerable to thieveries. It noted that the city's proximity to provinces like Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac is also a factor in carjacking incidents, noting that these provinces are where most carjacking syndicates and warehouses are based. The report also said that car theft’s nature as a bailable offense makes it difficult for the police to eradicate organized crime groups. “Some carnapping suspects who were arrested by QCPD in the past have posted bail and are back in the nefarious business of carnapping under concealed identities and/or merely forming another syndicated carnapping group," it said. It added that some groups concoct fake car theft incidents to avail of insurance claims, among other reasons. The QCPD assured, however, that it is intensifying efforts to catch crime groups through constant monitoring and by improving its intelligence network. Earlier in the day, the QCPD presented before Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr and Metro Manila Police Chief Director Geary Barias 13 suspected stolen vehicles that it recovered from anti-carnapping operations in Cebu City last July 28. The vehicles were found in the residence compound of Joseph Burt Canete, 34, who was arrested after he was found driving a reported stolen Hyundai Starex van. Among the recovered vehicles were a silver Mitsubishi Lancer (XDX-384), white Isuzu Lancer (GME-532), white Nissan Sentra (ZGT 463), blue Hyundai Starex (GLM-838), green Highlander vehicle (GLS-796), Toyota Hi-Ace (WMK 419), and several vehicles with no plate numbers. - GMANews.TV