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Saturday, October 04, 2003
Muslim leaders unite in fight v. carnapping
By Lizanilla Amarga, Yuri Locsin
MUSLIMS gathered Friday to discuss the spate of carnapping incidences in the city, saying they are ashamed that the stolen vehicles are recovered in their areas like in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
This came as George Goking, a staff member of the Local Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (Cord) 10 said the nine carnappings in the city pose a challenge to the police and military.
"These carnappings are a wake up call for all agencies," he said Friday night.
Goking also called on PNP regional director Nicolas Pasinos and 4th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Cristolito Balaoing not to let their guard down despite the lull in the spate of carnappings.
He said this as the city is progressing so fast and carnappings are bound to happen. "This (carnappings) is the price of development," he said.
Goking voiced hopes that these incidences will not deter tourists, local visitors and investors from coming to the city and affect the boom that the city is currently experiencing.
Meantime, over 20 leaders from the Muslim sector coming from different tribes in the city gathered Friday at the local Office of the Muslim Affairs (OMA-10).
OMA-10 regional director Ogie Gandamra said in a text message that their forum was focused on brainstorming what they can do to resolve the carnapping cases here in the city and also with other crimes.
"We discussed several possible ideas that might just help put a stop to this rampant carnappings," his text message read.
Among those who attended the meeting were chairman of the local Muslim multisectoral group Amer Macarambon and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA-10) regional director Disacraman Acraman among others.
A Maranao lawyer interviewed said he felt "ashamed" that the stolen cars were recovered at Maranao areas like Marawi, Lanao del Sur.
Nevertheless, he said they are doing their best to put a stop to these carnappings.
Also during the forum, Muslim leaders encouraged their fellow comrades to conduct their own investigations regarding these incidents.
This is because they don't want to ruin there relationship between the Christians which they strived hard to establish.
One of their leaders cited that they will do any means neccessary just to clarify who is behind the carnappings even if the perpetrator is one of their own.
They have also agreed to conduct their meeting every week to follow-up on the results of their campaign, believing they can help authorities eradicate crimes in the city.
Last September 1, a black/grey Isuzu Crosswind with plate no. 795 was taken from the residence of Cesar Aquino in Barangay Patag.
Only a week later, a white Mitsubishi Estrada with plate no. FEE 706 owned by Melbert Montebon of Barangay Lapasan this city was also stolen.
An orange Isuzu Crosswind with bearing plate number ZEA 599 and owned by Emmanuel How was carnapped in his home at Barangay Nazareth last September 10.
Just barely four days later, a red Mitsubishi Estrada with plate number KBV 555 was also stolen from Allison Bundoc at SM City.
Last September 15, another vehicle Mitsubishi L200 with plate no. JJL 673 was stolen from Wilma Gomez in her own residence at RER Subd. Kauswagan.
September 19 -- the third Isuzu Crosswind was carnapped. It was a gold/brown one with plate number LEX 363 taken from a "Mrs. Vic" from Burgos Street.
The worst day was last Sept. 24 when there were three vehicles stolen.
One was a blue Mitsubishi Lancer with plate number KCG 215 owned by Analyn Macoy from Camella Homes Subd. which was later found abandoned in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
Another was a blue Mitsubishi Pajero KCS 184 stolen from Merlyn Miñas from her residence at Villa Ernesto, Barangay Gusa.
The most expensive vehicle stolen in the list was a green Ford F150 pick-up with plate number MRN 777 owned by Oscar Reyes of Gingoog City.
(October 4, 2003 issue)
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