Police suspect carnap group has keys of target cars

POLICE suspect that the carnapping syndicate Ryan “Baktin” Yu, whose members were arrested recently, has an insider who provides duplicate keys for cars they stole, but still cannot pinpoint whether the insider is from a local or national car distributor.

The four members of the Ryan “Baktin” Yu Carnapping Group were presented to the media Friday after they were arrested by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

DCPO Director Ronald dela Rosa said the group is a big syndicate responsible for several carnapping cases in Davao City.

Dela Rosa said Yu has a contact within the car distribution and is being provided with the keys for their targeted vehicles.

The official said the accomplice is an insider of the car distribution system since he can provide not just the keys of the vehicle but also name and address of the buyer.

HPG-Davao Director Gregorio Pimentel said the leader of the group has several contacts.

The arrested suspects are identified as Gerry maPaulino, 30, a resident of NHA Buhangin, Davao City; Diego Macatimbang, 19, of Sigaboy, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental; Eddie Lopez, 19, a resident of Balite, Marilog district, Davao City; and Hermie Tahom, alias Loloy, 36, resident of San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, while their leader remains at large.

Paulino, Macatimbang, Lopez, and Tahom were presented by dela Rosa to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio.

According to Dela Rosa, Tahom was the first suspect arrested in Tandag, Surigao del Sur while driving a gray Toyota Innova, owned by Sumifru Philippines Corporation.

The vehicle disappeared at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday while parked outside the residence of Renante Castroverde, 29, an accountant of Sumifru and resident of Vincent Way St., Vincent Heights, Barangay Angliongto.

The car is equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, and it was found out that the vehicle was brought to Tandag, Surigao del Sur.

The operation was led by members of the DCPO and Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 11 lead by Superintendent Gregorio Pimentel.

Tahom said he was instructed by his boss, Ryan “Baktin” Yu, a resident of Mabua, Tandag, to bring the vehicle.

Tahom led authorities to the residences of Lopez and Macatimbang.

Paulino voluntarily surrendered after learning that his companions were already arrested.

Paulino told Sun.Star SuperBalita he is working with Yu for the past two years.

Meanwhile, Tahom said he has been Yu's driver for the past three months.

“He promises to give us P20,000 but he gives this amount over a period of time,” Tahom said.

Paulino is concerned of the safety of his family after receiving death threats from Yu.

The suspects voluntarily surrendered several vehicles, including a Toyota Hi-Ace Grandia, Hyundai Tucson, Honda Fit, Kia Carens and Toyota Innova with.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 6539 while Yu and another accomplice is the subject of manhunt operations, Pimentel said.