8 ‘car thieves’ nabbed in Cavite

MANILA – (Updated 12:13 p.m.) -- Authorities arrested eight suspected members of a carnapping syndicate in a raid in Cavite province before dawn Friday.

Report said the suspects, believed to be members of Onad Car Theft group, were arrested by joint operatives of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG)-Cavite and Bataan and the Pasay police in their alleged safehouse in Barangay Panapaan in Dasmariñas City around 3 a.m.

Cavite City police's Special Weapons and Tactics team chief Dhefry Punzalan said the safehouse was traced by policemen after the group hijacked a delivery van in Pasay City on Thursday night.

The van, however, was not found.

Among those arrested were Ronaldo Santiago, 30, the suspected leader of the group, and members Joselito Sarabia, Carlo Cabrera, Arnold Alipon, Philip Santos, George Cariaga, Ramir Santiago, and Joseph Hilario.

The group is reportedly operating in some parts of Metro Manila, Pasay, Makati, and Central Luzon.

Punzalan said the suspects had an encounter with members of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-HPG.

Authorities seized a .38 revolver and a .45 pistol from the suspects.

Also recovered from Santiago's house were chocolates, water filters, new clothes, slippers and shoes believed to be collected from hijacked vehicles.

Santiago, for his part, denied his involvement in carjacking and hijacking in Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

He said the chocolates and clothes were sent by his brother abroad. The water filters, he said, were bought as he plans to put up a water refilling business.

However, police said that the alleged group leader failed to show receipts for the water filters.

Reports said Santiago was arrested once for illegal possession of firearms.

Charges are now being prepared against the suspects. (Sunnex)