"Carnapper's" days numbered

CEBU, Philippines - Police all over the region now have the face sketch of a carnapper who is tagged responsible in stealing at most five motorcycles in Cebu recently.

Highway Patrol Group 7 chief Romeo Ver said they came up with the man’s sketch and have given this to all intelligence and investigation units in the region to help in the carnapper’s arrest.

“We found out that this is being done by one group and the most identified is this man, so we come up with his sketch,” Ver told reporters yesterday and added that the victims, who are mostly motorcycle-for-hire drivers, have identified the said robber.

A number of motorcycles have been reported missing recently. Many were reportedly forcibly taken with some of the victims either hurt or worse, killed.

Just last Saturday, a 25-year-old driver of a motorcycle-for-hire locally known as habal-habal was shot dead in Cebu City by two men who posed as his passengers.

The following day, another habal-habal driver in Minglanilla town was injured after he was struck in the head by his passenger, who then went off with his motorcycle.

Ver said that most of the motorcycles reportedly stolen bore the XRM Honda brand.

“Initial investigation shows that the engines of these motorcycles are good to be used for ordinary boats,” Ver said, adding that they are now also coordinating with the Maritime Police regarding the matter.

The HPG-7 said charges for violating the Republic Act 6539 or The Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972 will be filed against the suspect.

 “Their days are numbered because we are now in full blast in our anti-carnapping operations not just in Cebu, but also in region 7,” Ver said, as he also appealed to the public to help authorities trace carnappers.

A week ago, HPG 7 has just arrested an alleged businessman who reportedly sells stolen cars and has seized a total of six cars from him. – (FREEMAN)