House eyes tougher Anti-Car Theft Law

The House of Representatives is inclined to consider favorably a bill seeking to add teeth to the Anti-Car Theft Law by imposing stricter controls on inter-island shipments and the dismantling of motor vehicles.

House Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas (LAMP, Cebu City) made the statement even as the PNP Traffic Management Group reported a 25-percent drop in car theft cases last year.

PNP-TMG statistics submitted to the House committee on public safety and order indicate that the total number of reported car theft cases dropped to 1,901 in 1999 from 2,492 in 1998.

Gullas said the figures show that car theft cases declined to a daily average of 5.2 cases in 1999 compared to 6.8 cases in 1998.

The big drop in car theft cases last year was a marked contrast to the steady year-on-year increase in car theft cases from 1994 to 1998, according to Gullas.

Car theft cases soared 18.3 percent from 1,514 in 1994 to 1,791 in 1995; surged 15.1 percent to 2,060 in 1996; increased seven percent to 2,203 in 1997; and then rose 13.1 percent to 2,492 cases in 1998.

Gullas said the House is also inclined to support the PNP-TMG's recommendation to make mere possession of a stolen motor vehicle without any documentary proof that it proceeded from a sale a prima facie case that the user is a car thief.

At present, a suspect must be caught in the act of stealing a motor vehicle to become liable for car theft. In case the vehicle was forcibly taken, the suspect must be positively identified by the victim. In other cases, witnesses are necessary to identify an arrested car thief for charges to prosper in court.

"We intend to plug these loopholes in the Anti-Car Theft Law," Gullas said.

The House committee on public safety and order earlier approved for floor debate a bill seeking to strengthen the Anti-Car Theft Law. Authored by Rep. Jurdin Romualdo (LAMP, Camiguin), the bill will require water transport operators to routinely submit reports to the PNP of all vehicles and parts they shipped.

Under the bill, owners will also required to secure prior clearance from the PNP before any motor vehicle is dismantled or rebuilt.

Meanwhile, nearly one out of every four car theft cases reported last year took place in Quezon City.

PNP TMG statistics show that of the 1,901 motor vehicles lost to thieves last year, 1410 units or 75 percent reported stolen in Metro Manila.

Emerging as the country's carnapping capital is Quezon City, with 448 units (24 percent) reported stolen followed by Makati City with 214 units (11 percent); and Manila with 169 (nine percent).