QCPD nabs 9 suspected carjackers

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) anti-carjacking group arrested in separate operations nine alleged members a carjacking syndicate operating in Metro Manila.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele identified the suspects as Ricardo Ocampo and his live-in partner Rowena Silverio, John Oliver Darlucio, Jeffrey Ramirez, Angelito Bernardino, Cesar Catulig, Ruel Manquilas, Rodolfo Cruz, and Allan Taghoy, allegedly all members of the De la Cruz-Francisco Group led by one “Glen de la Cruz.”

The suspects – except for Silverio, who is pregnant – were presented to media at the QCPD at Camp Karingal, Quezon City.

The STAR sources said the suspects were arrested after anti-carjacking police chanced upon a six-wheeler truck (RBK-924) that was loaded with vehicle chassis at the boundary of Caloocan and Quezon City.

The exposed car parts prompted operatives to follow the truck. The police received information that the group dismantles stolen vehicles that are later sold to auto supply stores or junkshops in the area.

The police operation led to a compound in Sikatuna Subdivision in Barangay San Bartolome, Quezon City.

The police discovered assorted vehicle parts and a white Isuzu Canter truck (ZFL-305) and another already dismantled red Toyota Tamaraw FX (TKM-602), another FX van, a beige Toyota Starlet car (NHV-570), a maroon Suzuki multicab, a black Motorstar motorcycle (3542-NB) and a gray Sym motorcycle (2244-PQ).

Anti-carjacking group head Chief Inspector Rodelio Manalo said the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) have confirmed that six of the plates recovered from the suspects were from carjacked vehicles.

Manalo said Ocampo, Silverio, Darlucio, Ramirez, and Bernardino were caught dismantling the vehicles at the compound.

Manalo said they also seized a US-made carbine rifle loaded with bullets from Ocampo. The suspect failed to present documents for the firearm.

Investigators also discovered another safehouse of the gang along Daranay Avenue in Bagumbong, Caloocan North.

Manalo said the raiding team was met with gunfire and a shootout ensued as they approached the safehouse. The gang’s alleged leader, identified as Erick Francisco, escaped while Catulig, Manguilas, Cruz and Taghoy were arrested.

The operatives also recovered several dismantled parts of motor vehicles including a red Suzuki motorcycle without plates, a black Mitsubishi Strada pickup truck (ECF-444) and an Isuzu truck without plates, all believed to be stolen.

The suspects are expected to return to business if and when they are allowed to post bail, a source told The STAR.