Car owners told: Install GPS device, engine immobilizer

MANILA, Philippines – A police official advised motorists yesterday to install a global positioning system (GPS) device and an engine immobilizer in their cars.

Superintendent Ferdinand Villanueva, who heads the Quezon City Police District anti-car theft unit, issued the warning after a group of carjackers, believed to be behind the thefts of four vehicles in the city last week, had taken their victims for a ride before letting them go.

He said the GPS device could help owners recover their vehicles while the engine immobilizer can shut down the engine once the owner sends a command by mobile phone.

Villanueva said the QCPD has started conducting “aggressive intelligence and surveillance operations” to catch the carjackers.