“Always verify before you buy a vehicle” – Kalinga HPG tells public to remain vigilant

Tabuk City, Kalinga - The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) has reminded the public to remain vigilant when purchasing or transacting vehicles, stressing the importance of verifying ownership and legal documents to avoid falling victim to carnapping-related schemes.

In recent days, there have been reports and complaints of motorcycles being stolen and issues of rented cars being re-rented or sold to unsuspecting victims.

In an interview with GURU Presson September 30, HPG-Kalinga Chief, Police Captain Jordan Bongat stressed the importance of verifying the cars people buy, stressing how reports from buyers and victims help authorities act swiftly and prevent further crimes.

“We advice them to check the cars they buy, verify if the sellers are the legit owners of the car. Dakami gamin ti ag issue ti clearance when it comes to transfer of ownership before mai-register idiay LTO, changes like engine chassis, body color and body design will go through us first,” said Bongat.

The police captain added that unauthorized modification, especially those involving the engine or chassis can result in impounding of the vehicle.

Bongat recounted the story of a buyer in Kalinga who got a car from Tuguegarao and sought clearance for the car. When he came to their office, the HPG’s crime lab discovered inconsistencies.

Although the papers claimed it was a 2017 model, Bongat said the vehicle’s body was clearly from 2020, and its chassis showed tampering, prompting them to immediately impound the car.

Bonggat’s reminder is rooted in the Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 (RA 10883), which defines car napping as taking a vehicle without consent, with intent to gain, including by deceit. It also penalizes tampering with engine or chassis numbers and falsifying registration, with penalties of up to life imprisonment in severe cases.

To recall a case from last August, two rent-a-car owners from Cauayan, Isabela accused a 30-year-old woman from Kalinga of “rent-sangla” scheme after the woman rented a total of six vehicles but later allegedly pawned and even re-rented them to other people in Tabuk City.

Despite these challenges, HPG reported that they have recovered within a few weeks all the six vehicles.