PNP HPG reports 8.5% drop in car theft cases
Car theft incidents nationwide dropped by 8.5 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).
PNP HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang said at Camp Crame on Thursday that the number of theft cases involving four-wheeled vehicles significantly decreased from 162 from Jan. 1 to June 30 last year to about 140 so far this year.
There were also fewer thefts of two-wheeled vehicles from 1,002 cases in 2023 to 964 cases so far this year, Malang added, attributing the decrease to the deployment of more HPG personnel upon the orders of PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
“The presence of your PNP HPG, with the help of our local police force, especially in conducting checkpoints, has helped to reduce our cases. This is nationwide,” Malang said.
In an operation in San Jose del Monte City on June 28, the police arrested seven individuals for allegedly stealing vehicles and selling their parts, while authorities recovered five cars.
Malang said the operation was conducted after a car rental service owner reported that two of their vehicles had been stolen and could no longer be tracked via the geolocation system.
“The (complainant) checked Facebook Marketplace. That’s where they saw that one part of their stolen vehicle was posted and was being sold for disposal,” he added.
Modus operandi
The PNP HPG spokesperson said that the individuals sold the car parts at low prices to discreetly dispose of the missing cars.
Car doors were sold for P10,000 to P15,000, and headlights for P5,000 to P7,000.
“That’s their method to hide and discreetly dispose of the car. Of course, if the vehicle is big and the criminals sell it, that will be noticed,” Malang said.
Authorities recovered five vehicles during the operation, but one has remained missing and was believed to have been taken apart and its parts sold, he added.
Under the Anti-Fencing Law of 1979 (Presidential Decree No. 1612), buyers of stolen items can be prosecuted.
“We’re still looking into who bought the stolen car parts so we can file a case,” Malang said. “It’s difficult for the HPG because cars have many parts, and it’s hard to trace them one by one.”
The suspects are now in the custody of the Central Luzon Regional Highway Patrol Unit and face car theft charges under Republic Act No. 10883.
The spokesperson reminded the public to stay vigilant and take preventive steps, such as installing global positioning system trackers and being cautious in lending their vehicles, to help deter theft.
