Still no suspect in Reyes van theft

The Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG) has yet to identify the culprits who stole the black Mitsubishi Pajero owned by the son of former defense chief and now Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes.

PNP-TMG National Capital Region (NCR) chief Senior Superintendent Robert Ganzon said that with the next national and local elections around the corner, the demand for "hot" cars is expected to rise.

Citing statistics, Ganzon said carjacking incidents increase rapidly prior to the holding of national or local elections.

"Sadyang may nagbebenta at may bumibili na mga nakaw na kotse na karaniwan ng ginagamit sa pangangampanya lalo na sa malalayong lugar (There are those who sell stolen cars and those who buy these to be used for campaigning especially in remote areas)," Ganzon told reporters at Camp Crame.

In order to prevent this, Ganzon said they will be more aggressive in pursuing carjacking syndicates operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

He however pointed out that carjacking incidents have been on the decline during the first two quarters of this year as compared to the same period last year.

Citing TMG records, Ganzon said only 267 vehicles were stolen in Metro Manila in the past six months as compared to 412 units lost to car thieves in 2005.

He said Quezon City remains to be the favorite area of car thieves, with a total of 84 vehicles stolen in the past six months, followed by Manila with 29 cars lost. Marikina and Parañaque cities had 20 cars each stolen by carjackers.

The remaining 114 cases involved stolen motorbikes, which Ganzon said has become alarming.

The TMG report, however, made no mention of the young Reyes’ black Mitsubishi Pajero, with license plates XAU-931, which was stolen Thursday night while parked along Matahimik Street in Diliman, Quezon City.

Angelito was reportedly visiting a friend at Teachers’ Village, when he lost his vehicle. — Jaime Laude