Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Police officer, 7 others arrested over alleged carnapping of delivery van in Manila

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><p>MANILA — A police officer and seven other individuals, including three minors, were arrested after allegedly stealing the vehicle of a delivery service driver in Manila City last week.</p><p>Based on the initial investigation, the incident occurred at around 1:00 a.m. on January 30, when the victim received a booking request for his closed van from an individual in Sta. Cruz.</p><p>“Bale may sumalubong sa akin na motor and then sabi nila, pinaparada nila ako sa madilim sa Tondo. Pagparada ko doon sabi antayin mo kami, kukunin namin ikakarga mo,” the victim recounted.</p><p>According to the police report, around 20 suspects later forcibly entered the van without the driver’s consent.</p><p>Two of them introduced themselves as police officers, while one allegedly brandished a firearm and threatened the victim before commandeering the vehicle.</p><p>The suspects reportedly brought two additional vehicles and transferred individuals into the victim’s van, effectively taking control of it.</p><p>“May dala silang tao doon sa L300 na pinasakay nila sa truck tapos tinakeover nila sa akin ‘yung truck. Ang sabi sa akin ‘yung driver ko na ‘yung magda-drive ng truck, sumama ka lang diyan sa loob, hindi na ako nag ano kasi kinabahan na rin ako, hinayaan ko na lang,” the victim said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>COPPER CABLES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The group then traveled to Imus, Cavite, arriving at around 3:35 a.m., where several individuals wearing construction-type uniforms allegedly extracted copper cables from a manhole and loaded them into the van.</p><p>The suspects later proceeded to Muntinlupa, where the cables were allegedly cut and transferred to another vehicle.</p><p>“Tapos dinala sa Muntinlupa doon nila pinagpuputol tapos inilipat nila sa ibang sasakyan doon sa L300 and then pagkatapos nun napuno na kasi ‘yung L300 ng mga wire, ‘yung mga tao nila sa akin pinasakay ulit tapos ako ‘yung pinag drive nila,” the victim said.</p><p>At around 8:49 a.m., upon reaching San Andres Police Community Precinct in Sta. Ana, the victim managed to regain control of his vehicle, escaped, and immediately reported the incident.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>ARREST</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>A hot pursuit operation conducted by the Sta. Ana Police Station (PS-6) in coordination with the Sta. Cruz Police Station (PS-3) led to the arrest of the police officer and seven other suspects.</p><p>The PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) has launched a parallel administrative investigation into the case.</p><p>IAS Inspector General Brigido Dulay said authorities suspect that the recovered cables were stolen.</p><p>“Ang hinihinala namin ay mga nakaw na kable sa isang manhole sa Imus, Cavite,” Dulay said.</p><p>“Nagsampa na rin siya ng reklamo dito sa amin at amin nang naumpisahan ‘yung pre-charge investigation. Ang magiging sakdal dito kapag napatunayan ng ebidensya ay carnapping, kidnapping, threat, at grave coercion,” he added.</p><p>The police officer involved was identified as a staff sergeant assigned to the District Headquarters Support Unit of the Manila Police District (MPD) and detailed to its Forensic Unit.</p><p>“Part of the assessment and evaluation of the case, we need to determine whether this staff sergeant nagkaroon na ng kaso,” Dulay said.</p><p>The suspects are facing possible violations of Republic Act No. 10883, or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, as well as Article 282 (Grave Threats) and Article 286 (Grave Coercion) of the Revised Penal Code.</p><p>Three of the suspects are minors and were handled in accordance with laws governing children in conflict with the law.</p><p>“Gaya nga ng sabi ng ating Chief PNP, zero tolerance tayo dyan sa katiwalian,” Dulay stressed.</p><div><br/></div><p>.</p>

<p>A police officer and seven other individuals, including three minors, were arrested after allegedly stealing the vehicle of a delivery service driver in Manila City.</p>

A police officer and seven other individuals, including three minors, were arrested after allegedly stealing the vehicle of a delivery service driver in Manila City.