Family of three tagged in theft of SSS exec's SUV

MANILA, Philippines - A man, his wife and their teenage son allegedly stole a sport utility vehicle assigned to Social Security System president Emilio de Quiros over the weekend, police said yesterday.

While “Mark,” 34, escaped, his wife, “Jasmin,” and their 16-year-old son are in the custody of the Quezon City Police District following their arrest on Friday, said QCPD director Chief Superintendent George Regis.

The black Toyota Fortuner (NOG-594) being used by De Quiros was recovered by operatives of the QCPD’s Anti-Carnapping Unit (DACU) after it was abandoned in Bulacan a few hours after being stolen in Quezon City.

“It’s a carjacking group and his (Mark’s) members are his own family,” QCPD-DACU head Superintendent Ferdinand Villanueva told The STAR in an interview.

According to Villanueva, De Quiros’ aide, Almario Asunsion, parked the SUV with its engine running along Malakas street in Barangay Pinyahan at around 4 p.m. to buy some snacks at a store.

Mark and two other men – identified as Christopher Ductor Torres and “Alex” – snuck into the Fortuner and drove away, but village watchmen noticed that the teenager was left behind, Villanueva said.

“The tanods even saw the young man attempt but fail to board the vehicle as it sped off. The one driving it was apparently rattled,” he said.

The watchmen detained the boy, who was carrying a bag and “nervously texting and calling someone on the phone.” The boy’s mother arrived in a black Nissan Xtrail and tried to prevent her son’s arrest.

“The suspects onboard the Xtrail from where Jasmin Reyes alighted served as backup and in viewing distance from where the teenager was accosted. However, the driver of the Nissan Xtrail, identified only as ‘Alex,’ managed to elude arrest,” Villanueva said.

Moments later, another suspect, Arlene Juaniza, arrived. The boy handed her the bag he had been holding. When police officers frisked her and checked the bag, it contained a loaded .45 caliber Springfield pistol and a loaded magazine.

The Fortuner was found abandoned at the back of a public market in Calumpit town at around 1 a.m. Saturday. The SUV’s license plates had been removed, but its chassis number matched that of De Quiros’ vehicle.

According to Villanueva, Assistant City Prosecutor Ronald Torrijos found probable cause to indict the teenager for car theft and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition; Jasmin for car theft; Juaniza for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. A separate case for car theft was also filed against Mark and other suspects who remain at large.

Inspector Rogelio Diaz, chief investigator of the QCPD-DACU, said Mark’s group reportedly sells stolen vehicles via a middleman to buyers in Davao or Camarines Sur.

Villanueva alleged that Mark was once affiliated with a carjacking gang reportedly led by Edwin Madrigal before he started out on his own. Mark’s son will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development since he is a minor, he said.