The Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) said it arrested three suspects and recovered five allegedly stolen vehicles in the cities of Pasay and Mandaluyong.
In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday, HPG spokesperson Lt. Nadame Malang said the suspects were entrapped while attempting to sell two vehicles at the Esplanade Seaside Terminal on Tuesday night.
Once arrested, the suspects pointed to a garage along R. O. Santos Street in New Zaniga, Mandaluyong City, where the three other vehicles were found.
Malang only identified the suspects as a seller named ‘Vitara;’ an alleged accomplice; and a supposed financier.
‘These cars have monthly dues with car financing companies,’ he said in Filipino.
‘Once they can no longer pay the monthly dues, that’s the time they can steal it and evade the financing company to sell the car to another person,’ he added.
The HPG spokesperson noted that the cars were being sold for P120,000 to P600,000.
‘Vitara’ was also allegedly caught with an unlicensed .22 caliber revolver.
The suspects are under PNP-HPG custody in Camp Crame.
They will face formal complaints for estafa and violation of Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code; RA No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act; and RA No. 10591 or the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.