Car dealers raise guard amid carjacking incidents

MANILA, Philippines - Amid the spate of carjackings in recent days, authorities believe carjacking should be made a non-bailable offense.

"Yung carnapping ay medyo hindi na maganda ginagawa nila. Hindi lang sasakyan yung kinukuha, pati narin buhay ng mga nakasakay, kaya the more dapat bigyan ng pansin yung carnapping, kailangan gawing non-bailable offense na," Philippine National Police (PNP) Central Luzon Director Chief Superintendent Allan Purisima said on ABS-CBN'S "Umagang Kay Ganda."

Purisima said some suspects become repeat offenders, adding that members of carjacking syndicates have awalked free after paying bail.

Car sales take a hit

Second-hand car dealers admit, business is not the same following recent carjacking incidents in the country that ended with the gruesome killing of car dealers.

"There were no deaths involved until now. This is the first time," said second-hand dealer Gene Dela Cruz, CEO and owner of Auto Campcar Exchange in an interview on ANC's "The Rundown".

"Apektado kami. Yung pagbebenta ng high-end cars siguro maglalay-low muna kami kasi Land Cruiser and target nila," Dela Cruz said.

Citing the worrisome development, car dealers say, they plan to coordinate security efforts with police and local government officials to protect themselves and their businesses.

Less cases

The PNP Highway Patrol Group says there has been a 25% drop in the number of carjacking incidents, from 1,228 cases in 2009 to 918 cases in 2010.

PNP-HPG spokesman, Superintendent Edwin Butacan, however, adds that given the market for stolen vehicles, suspects have become more aggressive in their operations, resorting to forcibly taking the vehicles.

Tips to motorists

Given the cases vehicles stolen while parked or stolen at gunpoint, Butacan says motorists should be more vigilant.

"As much as possible, mag-park sa safe place, yung lighted or sa gasoline stations."

Some incidents come as opportunities to "bump and rob."

"Merong time na biglang haharangin ang sasakyan o babanggain. Wag bumaba agad, tumingin sa likod, i-check yung plate number and kung mapansin na may dalang baril, iwanan nyo na lang."

Get clearance from HPG

Butacan advises vehicle buyers to exercise caution when purchasing vehicles by checking for vehicle clearance from the PNP-Highway Patrol Group Motorvehicle Clearance Division.

"Before they buy that vehicle if they could get a copy of the certificate of registration and request the car dealer to clear it with the Highway Patrol Group. I would like to encourage them na ipa-check muna nila yung sasakyan para masiguro yung nabiling sasakyan na hindi siya hot car."

He also advised car dealers to be more careful when dealing with buyers.

"If they can ask for valid IDs and driver's license of prospective drivers and request for photos to protect their business. Kung hindi maresist na i-test drive, mas maganda magpasama ng dalawa at umikot sa kalsada kung hindi sa shop."

source: abs-cbnnews.com