PNP chief: Carjack-slays not part of destabilization plots vs Aquino admin

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo on Friday allayed fears that the recent carjacking-slay incidents in the country were part of a plan to destabilize the government. Public concern over destabilization plots arose after a series of brutal slays of mostly car dealers in central Luzon in what authorities suspect could be perpetrated by car theft syndicates. Among the victims were car dealers Venson Evangelista and Emerson Lozada, son of former Marcos lawyer Oliver Lozano. "So far, we have not received any reports about any destabilization plot. This is not part of a destabilization plot," Bacalzo told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Bacalzo met with more than two dozen car dealers at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Friday to device measures to prevent a repeat of the gruesome crimes. Bacalzo also downplayed rumors that carjacking ring leaders have launched their recent attacks to challenge Bacalzo's authority. On the heels of the Evangelista and Lozano slays, dzMM radio anchor Carl Balita also fell prey to car thieves after his van was stolen in Quezon City on Thursday. Shared responsibility Bacalzo admitted they should be held accountable for the recent carjacking incidents in the last few weeks, but appealed to the public to help authorities in preventing such crimes. "Gusto namin sabihin sa inyo, 'This is a shared responsibility,'" he said. Bacalzo mentioned that the management and security department of the building were Balita's van was stolen should have ensured that cars parked in their vicinity are well-secured. "Pero siyempre, hindi naman namin tinatakasan ang responsibility namin... kasi alam namin it's our job to maintain peace and order," the PNP chief stressed. Regular dialogues Meanwhile, Bacalzo said "regular dialogues" will be held between the police and car dealers to prevent carjacking incidents. "Marami kaming nalaman na trade styles at business secrets na makakatulong sa [operation and investigation]," said Bacalzo after emerging from the dialogue. Bacalzo said the car dealers have all agreed not to conduct test drives in the evening, when they would more likely be at risk. They also agreed to limit the test drives, if space allows it, in the vicinity of the car dealers' respective establishments. 'Trade secrets' Bacalzo learned "trade secrets" used by some car dealers such as conducting a background check on their prospective buyers. "May isang car dealer na chineck daw nila kung saan nakatira ang isang buyer ng P2.5-million vehicle. And they were surprised to find out that the buyer was living in a squatter's area, na pinapatungan lang ng bato ang bubong ng bahay," Bacalzo said. During the dialogue, Bacalzo assured the dealers that what hapened to Evangelista and Lozano were isolated cases, and should not frighten all car traders. The car dealers who attended the dialogue, numbering to around 30, came from different parts of Metro Manila, including Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Pasig, and Manila among others; as well as from neighboring Bulacan. Bacalzo said that he had already encouraged the car dealers who attended the dialogue to start up an official organization of car dealers in the Philippines. "This way, they can communicate and share information with each other. And at the same time, puwede rin nila i-share sa amin iyon para makatulong sa operations namin," Bacalzo said. After learning about the car dealers' styles to prevent being hoodwinked by buyers, Bacalzo said the PNP, for its part, also shared "tips" on how to prevent becoming victims of car-jacking. He also assured car dealers that their applications for a permit to carry firearms would be processed immediately. – VVP, GMANews.TV