PNP orders HPG: Intensify strike against unregistered vehicles

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin on Sunday ordered the Highway Patrol Group to intensify its crackdown on vehicles without plate numbers and those with improvised plates.

Azurin said his order is part of the anti-criminality campaign and the drive against traffic violations, especially in the wake of reports on kidnapping incidents supposedly involving an obscure "white van." 

Likewise, he pointed out the campaign can be an “effective way” to clampdown on car theft through the Land Transportation Office.

“At the same time, we need to intensify our operations against stolen vehicles,” he added.

Azurin also called on the public to immediately report to the police any related incidents they have encountered so they could be investigated immediately.

Earlier, the Police dismissed unconfirmed reports that a serial killer or a criminal group onboard a white van was behind the recent incidents of abductions and killings in the country.

On the other hand, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo clarified that there are different suspects in the recent kidnapping incidents and that they have different motives.

Among kidnapping reports that stoke public fear was that of the 25-year-old man who was abducted in Taal, Batangas, last week and found dead in Sariaya, Quezon, the following day, according to Police Regional Office 4A.

CCTV footage showed that the victim alighted from a bus on Tuesday at 7:53 p.m. While standing on the side of the road, several armed suspects aboard a gray SUV and a gray sedan abducted him.

Also, there was the case of a 34-year-old man who was abducted by armed men in Batangas and has remained missing for over two weeks on end.

The victim’s live-in girlfriend said they were on a motorcycle to fetch someone in nearby town when armed men suddenly blocked their way and abducted her boyfriend.  —LBG, GMA News