Court acquits 'Godfather' of auto theft ring

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City court on Thursday acquitted the so-called "godfather" of auto theft syndicate in the country due to lack of strong evidence against him in carjacking and killing of its driver in 2009.

Judge Eleuterio Batan of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court branch 92 ruled that the prosecution panel failed to present a strong case against Jovel Entote, a radio report said.

Entote reportedly financed  notorious carjacking syndicates like the Dominguez, Salvatierra, Bonifacio, Onad Santiago and Baktin groups.

The report said the Court also cleared Entote of carjacking with homicide charges after prosecution witnesses gave contradicting and inconsistent description of the killer of driver Rodolfo Petalino.

Petalino was the slain driver of the Toyota Hi Ace Grandia in April 2009 in Katipunan Road, Quezon City.

The court also ordered authorities to release Entote from detention, the report said.

Last Aug. 7, Entote was nabbed at about 10:30 p.m. at the parking lot of Casino Espanol de Cebu on V. Ranodo Street, Barangay, Cogon, Ramos, Cebu City.

Authorities said Entote was also responsible for the 67 stolen cars, mostly sports utility vehicles that the PNP Highway Patrol Group have recovered in the province of Bohol and the cities of Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos since last year.