Stolen cars have slim chance of recovery?

A Kia Sorento was reported stolen while parked along Mother Ignacia corner Scout Limbaga in Quezon City last December 7. The incident happened while the vehicle was on test drive by Congressman Victorino Dennis M. Socrates of the 2nd District of Palawan who took fancy on the fast-selling model in order to experience hands-on the mid-size SUV’s much bruited about overall performance and classy amenities before probably deciding on buying one.

The theft is actually not much of the issue here as we know for a fact that carnapping gets rampant especially during this time of the year when opportunities to steal automobiles increase because of more vehicles on the road waiting to be stolen and the criminal minds on an overdrive with an amplified take home quota due to the needs of the Christmas season.

What dumbfounded Mr. Felix Mabilog, president of Columbian Autocar, the exclusive distributors of Kia vehicles in the country, which had the vehicle test-driven by the Palawan Congressman, was the list of requirements that a carnapping victim has to meet before a local alarm for the stolen vehicle can be issued.

“Before any carnapping victim can come up with the numerous required documents that are needed to be presented before the police issues an alarm, the stolen vehicle could have been already reduced to spare parts, cannibalized to the last nut and bolt or could have been shipped to the Visayas or Mindanao waiting for an unknowing buyer if not already sold,” laments Mr. Mabilog, the indefatigable auto industry veteran.

Here’s the list of “Requirements for Issuance of Local Alarm” as provided by the Quezon City District Police Intelligence & Operation Unit.

1. Original Copy of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt

2. If the applicant is a representative of the registered owner, a notarized original copy of Special Power of Attorney should be submitted: and if the company car an original copy of Secretary Certificate should be submitted and picture 2x3 of the issuing party including his/her photo copy of any valid ID’s.

3. A copy of Police Station Report where the incident took place.

4. If the motor vehicle is encumbered, secure a certified true copy of OR & CR of said vehicle and ask for a CERTIFICATION from the said bank or financing company.

5. Clear and authenticated machine copies of the documents, which were used in original registration from the LTO of the carnapped vehicle, as follows: (Print/indicate the name of person who certified LTO Documents)

Clear and authenticated machine copies of CR or OR form

LTO Agency where MV was first registered

Vehicle Sales Invoice

LTO Confirmation Certificate of the motor and chassis number

Certificate of Stock report

LTO Motor Vehicle Inspection Report clearly showing the Stencil of the MV Motor and Chassis Number

PNP Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate/Stock Report

6. First Page of Insurance Policy

7. Key of motor vehicle

8. Picture of Applicant size 2x3 or 2R and photo copy of valid ID

I didn’t know that having a local alarm issued for a stolen vehicle could require an entire office staff to get together all the require documents, especially so if the vehicle were company owned. No wonder most victims just give up the idea of ever seeing their vehicles again once stolen.

Not unless the system is modified by the police authorities all I can say to the vehicle owners is to have all the above-mentioned documents readily available and accessible to give your vehicle a sporting chance to be recovered in the event it’s stolen.

There has got to be a better way!

Let’s get to rest this issue of “resting in peace”

Calls and text messages from well-meaning friends kept coming since the reported death of my namesake and fellow media man who worked as a radio reporter for DZMM – the late Butch Gamboa of Nueva Ecija.

A friend, whose call came in early one morning rousing me from my deep sleep at around 7 o’clock, had to ask, “Are you really Butch Gamboa?”

Well, sorry to disappoint you guys, this Butch Gamboa is still so much alive and kicking. Right now, it’s only when I come late for an appointment or event that you can call me “the late Butch Gamboa” and I intend to keep it that way for a longer time, with the strong support and cooperation of the One above – “masamang damo….”

The TV coverage of “the biggest outdoor motor show”

The highlights of the recently-held 2010 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo will be shown tomorrow evening, Thursday, December 16 at 10 o’clock on Sky Cable’s Shop TV Channel 13 (Home Shopping Network).

If you missed going to the SM Mall of Asia last November 4 to 7 when it was held, you can have an idea of the extensive participation of the entire Philippine auto industry in what’s considered indeed “the country’s biggest outdoor motor show and test drive” by watching the TV special.

Now, for those who would like to see the remarkable array of automobile models that were launched in this year, don’t fail to watch the Auto Focus Yearend Special, which will be shown on December 30 with a replay on January 7, 2011. 

While the Formula One racing fans can have a second look at highlights of this year’s World Formula One Series complete with all the fantastic passing, sterling maneuvers and horrendous crashes on the Motoring Today – The Year That Was TV special scheduled for airing on December 26 with replay on January 2, 2011.

Happy Motoring!!!

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