Car theft cases down 40%

Buoyed by the recent decrease of street crimes in the metropolis, the campaign of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) against car thieves is fast gaining ground effectively reducing the number of such incidents in the metropolis for the first four months of the year.

From a high of at least six stolen vehicles daily last year, the Metro Manila police has effectively cut down the incidents to just three a day. Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco attributed the decrease in car theft incidents to the strict implementation of President Arroyo’s all-out drive against all forms of criminality and the public’s vigilance against crime.

"It may not be possible for the NCRPO to completely eradicate car theft incidents in the metropolis but what we can do is further increase police visibility in areas where they are rampant," General Velasco said.

He pointed out that car theft has always been a bane for the Metro Manila police, but the decrease of its incidence is a strong indication that the campaign of the NCRPO is proving effective in the overall efforts of the PNP in curbing criminality.

A crackdown on organized criminal syndicates, particularly against car theft rings in Quezon City, boosted the drive.

The uncovering of a big-time carnapping syndicate by the Central Police District Office (CPDO) and its run-in with a group of car thieves, where five of the suspects were killed last month, are among the biggest breakthroughs in the anti-crime drive of the Metro Manila police.

"Through several police operations, the NCRPO was able to uncover and trace these syndicates putting a damper on their activities," the NCRPO chief said.

From January to April, 2003, a total of 470 vehicles were stolen. This figure decreased by at least 40 percent compared to the 782 incidents recorded for the same period of 2002.

Statistics reveal that February posted the most stolen vehicles this year with 135 incidents, in January there were 109 incidents, 124 incidents in March, and 102 for April.

Most of the vehicles were forcibly taken from their owners or were stolen while parked unattended.

A primary factor behind the decrease on car theft incidents, General Velasco said, is the continued vigilance of the citizenry against lawless elements. He stressed that suspicious looking persons are immediately relayed by the public through the PNP Text 2920, Magic Eye Txt Patrol 2910, and the DILG Police Assistance Hotline 117, prompting the deployment of police operatives and effectively thwarting the activities of criminals.

"Our Huli Agad and Pulis Mabilis programs continue to bolster our campaign to win the streets of the metropolis from criminals. With the help and support of the citizenry, there is nothing that the NCRPO can’t do," Velasco said.