Motorcycle theft on the rise in Manila

Despite the low incidence of car theft in Manila, cases of stolen parked motorcycles in malls and hospitals are on the rise, records gathered by The STAR at the Manila Police District (MPD showed.

A total of eight motorcycles were reported stolen at the parking lots of the Philippine General Hospital, UST Hospital and the malls in Arroceros and San Lazaro in the past weeks.

"Hospitals and malls have become the favorite places of motorcycle thieves," said Chief Inspector Benigno Macalindong.

He advised car owners to secure their vehicles with additional padlocks and stressed that motorcycles should never be left unattended.

He also admonished private security guards in malls and hospitals for being lax. "The guards should be the first line of defense in private places."

The MPD is also tapping barangay officials as police force multipliers in securing communities. Statistics show that there is only one policeman for every 3,500 residents in Manila.

Police operatives have also seized six motorcycles with spurious documents and recovered two abandoned cars as part of its intensified operation against stolen vehicles.

The seizure of the motorcycles was an offshoot of the police’s "Oplan Sita" where operatives were trained to visually identify suspected stolen vehicles that are commonly used by criminals.

"Most of the riders of these questionable motorcycles fail to show the vehicle’s papers during inspection. Their usual alibi is that they will get the documents at the house, but will never show up again," Macalindong said.

Two abandoned cars were likewise recovered by the police,which have remained unclaimed.

A 1994 Mitsubishi Galant, with license plate TLG-272, was found in Sta. Ana, Manila. The vehicle has tampered chassis its papers found inside the car were fake.

"The vehicle was found intact. There were no visible signs of missing accessories," Macalindong said.

In Malate, a green 1995 Nissan Sentra, with license plate UEE-718, was also abandoned. The vehicle has a broken door key.

The police are now tracing the ownership of the two cars in coordination with the Land Transportation Office.

Meanwhile, MPD acting director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa said he is now finalizing the security plans for the coming Christmas season, especially in malls and shopping centers.