Carjacking syndicate leader gets help from LTO, HPG

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said he is certain that the carnapping syndicate of Ryan “Baktin” Yu gets assistance from rogue members of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In an interview with the media on Monday evening, Duterte said only with the help of corrupt policemen and LTO personnel can the syndicate easily tamper with the original plates of the stolen vehicles before selling them.

Duterte arrived at the enclosed property believed to be a hiding place of Yu in Sarphil Subdivision at Barangay Wilfredo Aquino in Agdao Monday evening, following the raid by members of the Davao City Police Office and the chief of the HPG-Davao.

Fourteen vehicles were seized although the warrant of arrest only stated 13 vehicles were inside.

"This is not a legitimate shop. These vehicles here don’t have any legal documents. Nakaw ito, tapos with the cooperation of some corrupt policemen and LTO personnel somewhere, namamakro nila ito at napapalusot kung saan-saan and that is the biggest heartache dito," Duterte said, as he pointed at the seized vehicles.

An irate Duterte admitted that he knew Baktin when the suspected carnap gang leader once confronted a policeman in front of the vice mayor several years back.

"Binaboy niya yung police sa harap ko, pinagsisigawan nila magpipinsan. Ako naman, to keep the peace, mainit na rin yung police, pinapakalma ko silang dalawa. I knew it was him," Duterte said, as he recalled the first time he met Baktin, although he did not say how long ago that was.

Duterte added that Baktin used to have his photos taken with various politicians in Mindanao and would often drop the name of national and local officials just to curry some favor.

"Buti di ako ang nilapitan niya. Lahat na lang yata ginawa niyang gate pass. But never lumalapit sa akin yan. Sa mailad ra na (It all depends if you’re gullible)," Duterte said.

"I warn you, tumabi kayo or else sasagasaan ko kayong lahat. I would not use any term like demanda kundi ayaw mo diri or else madidisgrasya kayo," Duterte said in warning Yu and his relatives who are allegedly also involved in the illegal activities.

He warned Yu not to try to operate again in Davao City lest face the consequences of his actions.

"Kayong mga nagpupulis-pulisan dyan, pati yung taga highway patrol and LTO … tumino kayo, umayos kayo sa mga trabaho ninyo. Kaya naghihirap ang bansa dahil lang din sa mga tulad ninyo," he said.

Duterte advised Yu to get the best lawyer or seek the assistance of President Benigno C. Aquino III if he can in order to save his life, although it’s best for him to leave the country right away.

"Dili na ta ka gusto makit-an bisan asa pa diri sa nasud kay malaman ko lang naa pa ka diri, di jud ka namo lungan hantod dili ka madakpan (I no longer want to see you here because once I learn that you are around, I will not stop from hunting you down until I catch you)," he added.

Earlier, lawyer Rocky Malaki, Yu’s legal counsel, had earlier asked the HPG and the city police office not to confiscate the vehicles because his client insists he can present the documents for all these.

The vice mayor, however, is not daunted as he ordered the police to inspect all car shops, both selling brand-new and secondhand vehicles.

"Lahat ng kasa ngayon (All car shops) should be checked because the City Government has the right to do that. Kung dili gani mo pasudlon, ako ang mag-inspection. I will be the one to check your electricity, structure, and everything, and never dare to deny me kay modiretso jud ko ug sulod labi na kaduda-duda mo. Wala'y warrant-warrant (If policemen will not be allowed to inspect, than I will do the inspection myself. I will check everything in your shop including electricity and structure. Don’t even try to block me because I will enter especially if your car shop looks suspicious. I don’t need a warrant)," Duterte said.

Duterte has been fuming for some time now following the spike in carnapping incidents in Davao City this year.