Cops file raps vs. 'carnap leader'

The alleged leader of a carnapping syndicate in the Philippines was charged for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law yesterday before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City, but was eventually released after he posted a P40,000 bail.

Joseph Burt Calimbo Cañete, 34, of 8888 Rivaridge Subdivision, barangay Tisa, Cebu City was charged for violating Presidential Decree 1612, otherwise known as the Anti-Fencing Law in relation to Republic Act 6539 or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

The information was filed by operatives of the Anti-Carnapping Section, District Police Intelligence and Operation Unit of Quezon City Police District represented by ANCAR Section Head P/Insp. Angelo Nicolas.

Cañete, according to Police Deputy Regional Director for Administration (PDRDA7) C/Supt. Federico Terte is allegedly the leader of a carnapping syndicate based in Cebu, but has linkages at the National Capital Region (NCR).

Terte said PRO7 will conduct its own investigation as to the extensiveness of Cañete’s operations, but only as complimentary to the main agency which is QCPD.

He admitted that PRO7 had already received reports of stolen luxury cars, which are sold in Cebu and in nearby provinces.

“It is possible that Cebu might be a hub of carnapped vehicles from this syndicate,” Terte said.

Terte was not able to elaborate further saying the region only has a minor role in the operation.

Cañete was supposed to be presented to the media yesterday, but it did not push through since Police Regional Office 7 director C/Supt. Ronald Roderos had an earlier engagement.

“On July 28, 2008, the accused with deliberate intent and with intent to gain for himself or for another did then and there buy, possess, keep and or display for sale one unit Hyundai Starex van with Plate Number ZKZ 988 worth P1,400,000.00 knowing the said item to have been the subject or proceeds of thievery,” according to the information.

There were 12 vehicles, which were seized from the compound of Cañete, but only the Starex Van was mentioned as it was the only subject in the warrant obtained from the sala of Quezon City RTC Branch Judge Thelma A. Ponferrada.

Aside from the Starex van, included as evidence was a Verification Letter of QCPD ANCAR Section Plate Number ZJM 154 at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in East Avenue, Quezon City stating the “No Record on File” stamp dated July 23.

It also included the Alarm Sheet signed by Traffic Management Group (TMG) member P/SInsp. Vergel Villasper issued April 28 reporting the stolen Hyundai Starex van with Plate Number ZKZ 988.

According to the Joint Affidavit of Apprehension filed by SPO2 Norman Suva and PO2 Ted Bacolod of QCPD, their agency received a tip from a confidential agent connected with a carnapping syndicate that operates in Quezon City that some of the vehicles were brought to Cebu to be sold.

The same agent informed them that a syndicate is transporting a carnapped white Hyundai Starex with LTO registered plate ZKZ 988 to Cebu City which will eventually lead them as to where the other stolen vehicles are located.

The subject vehicle was verified to have been stolen while parked through an Alarm Sheet of Quezon City TMG.

They were also informed by their Agent that the Hyundai Starex van’s plates were replaced with plate number ZJM 154  last July 21 and was set to be transported to Cebu via Sulpicio Container Express Uno departing Manila through Pier 12 and arriving Cebu City at Pier 5.

QCPD eventually followed the vehicle and coordinated with the Regional Investigation and Intelligence Division (RIID).

The said vehicle remained at the seaport facilities until July 23 when it was brought to the Cañete Compound by a person, who was later identified as Cañete.

In the same surveillance operations, the operatives also saw several motor vehicles with suspicious plate numbers and others even without plate numbers within the compound.

At 4 am of July 28, Cañete again tried to drive and take out Hyundai Starex van out from the compound, but was blocked by the operatives and RIID armed with a search warrant and in the presence of barangay Tisa tanods Prudencio Caburray and Carlito Binondo.

The operatives brought Cañete to RIID PRO7 and confiscated the subject vehicle when he failed to show proof of registration.

The 12 other vehicles recovered by the operatives, unmentioned in the information but listed at the memorandum report of the operatives include one Mitsubishi Lancer XDX 384; silver Mitsubishi Lancer XDX 384; one white Isuzo Hi-Lander GME 532; one Nissan Sentra ZGL 463; one silver Mitsubishi Adventure with no plate; one blue Hyundai Starex GLM 838; white Nissan Urvan ZAD 578; one gold Revo WNJ 798; one green Crosswind GLS 796; white L300 EB XTB 818; one unit Toyota Hi-Ace WMC 418 and one white Fortuner with plate number ZMC 785.

LTO 7 director Raul Aguilos for his part said they will also be conducting their own investigation specially in focusing to the origins of the confiscated cars.

So far, no police unit has coordinated for their help. — with Cressida Paula G. Delmo, Jessica Ann Pareja, Freeman Correspondents and Rey Pasaporte of Banat News/NLQ