Manhunt on for 5 car theft groups

MANILA, Philippines – Five car theft groups operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces are the subjects of manhunt by operatives of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), a police official said yesterday.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Leo­nardo Espina said Raymond Dominguez allegedly heads one of the five groups. His group is believed to be behind the theft of eight luxury vehicles recovered from a condominium building where he and his reported lover, actress Katrina Paula (real name Angelyn Samonte), had been staying.

Espina clarified that he was not aware of any pending criminal case against Paula, but Dominguez is wanted for car theft and murder cases and has a P500,000 reward on his head.

Technically, Espina said there is no case yet against the actress but she can help the police find Dominguez if she has nothing to do with her boyfriend’s alleged criminal activities.

Aside from the Dominguez group, which has at least eight members, Espina said the four other car theft gangs are the Bonifacio group, Madrigal group, Ivan Padilla group and Chingasa group.

Last Aug. 2, Ivan Padilla was killed in a shootout with the HPG’s anti-carnapping unit operatives, who reportedly intercepted them as they were about to stage another hit in Makati City.

HPG spokesman Superintendent Edwin Butacan said the anti-carnapping unit has also established some profiles of car thieves and the area of their operations.

Butacan said they are trying their best to address the car theft incidents in the country – the number of car thefts this year was lower compared to 2009. Last year, the HPG recorded a total of 1,032 cars and vans stolen nationwide, which was higher compared to the incidents for the first nine months of this year with only 788 cases.

The HPG reported that from July to September this year, a total of 58 vehicles were stolen in Quezon City, 48 vehicles in Manila and 24 in Mandaluyong City.

Butacan earlier said the flourishing market for second-hand vehicles makes car theft profitable. He said there is nothing wrong with buying previously owned vehicles provided the buyer would ensure the cars or vans were not “hot cars.”

He added that second-hand cars cost only half of the original prices, which are usually over P1 million.

The HPG asked the public to call them for assistance at these numbers: HPG Luzon (726-1261 to 62), HPG Visayas (032-2339579 and 032-4122143) and HPG Mindanao (082-2970405).