The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) recovered five motor vehicles and impounded four others during separate anti-carnapping and traffic enforcement operations across the country on May 14.
The operations were conducted in Abra, Pangasinan, Cebu City, Iligan City, Camarines Sur, and Benguet as part of intensified efforts to stop illegal vehicle transactions, recover unlawfully withheld units, and enforce registration and traffic laws.
In San Juan, Abra, HPG personnel, together with local police, recovered a Toyota Vios allegedly involved in a “rent-tangay” scheme. Police said the vehicle had been rented in December 2025 under a monthly payment agreement, but the renter allegedly failed to pay the succeeding obligations and later pawned the unit.
Authorities traced and recovered the vehicle in Barangay Cabcaburao through GPS tracking and coordination with barangay officials.
In Labrador, Pangasinan, three vehicles were impounded during anti-carnapping and traffic law enforcement operations in Barangay Bongalon. These included a Chevrolet Colorado, a Ford EcoSport, and a Mitsubishi Mirage.
Police said the violations included the use of improvised plates, expired registration documents, reckless driving, and alleged unauthorized change of vehicle color.
In Cebu City, HPG personnel impounded a Ford Ranger near Robinsons Galleria after the driver allegedly failed to present a valid driver’s license and the vehicle’s official receipt and certificate of registration. Authorities also said the vehicle was using an improvised plate number.
Also in Cebu City, police recovered a Mitsubishi Mirage allegedly involved in a “talon-casa” scheme. The operation stemmed from a request for police assistance linked to a Writ of Replevin issued by the Metropolitan Trial Court of Mandaluyong City.
Investigators said the vehicle had reportedly been missing since October 2024 before it was traced to an auto repair shop in Cebu City. The possessor voluntarily surrendered the vehicle after authorities explained its status and the court order.
In Iligan City, joint HPG personnel recovered a Bristol Zontes 400-K motorcycle allegedly involved in a failed-to-return transaction. Police said the motorcycle was acquired through financing but was later allegedly pawned to another person. The possessor voluntarily surrendered the motorcycle after learning of its status.
In Sipocot, Camarines Sur, HPG personnel recovered and impounded a Toyota Avanza allegedly linked to a “labas-casa” scheme. The vehicle was initially flagged down for a broken windshield before verification showed it was covered by a recovery assistance request from Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporation.
Meanwhile, in La Trinidad, Benguet, authorities recovered a Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter Van reported as failed-to-return. Police said the vehicle was located in Upper Lamtang, Puguis, based on tracking information provided by the complainant.
All recovered and impounded vehicles were placed under the custody of the respective HPG operating units for documentation, verification, macro-etching examination, investigation, and proper disposition.
HPG director Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan said the operations showed the importance of intelligence-driven enforcement and public coordination in recovering vehicles and preventing fraudulent transactions.
“Continuous intelligence-driven operations, lawful enforcement, and immediate public coordination remain vital in recovering unlawfully withheld motor vehicles and ensuring compliance with traffic and registration laws,” Batangan said.
The HPG urged the public to exercise caution in vehicle transactions, verify ownership and financing records, and immediately report suspicious activities or unreturned vehicles to authorities.