PNP-HPG returns 58 stolen vehicles to owners

The Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) returned 58 stolen vehicles, including seven motorcycles, to their registered owners during a ceremony Thursday at Camp Crame.

PNP-HPG acting director Police Brig. Gen. Joyce Patrick Sangalang led the turnover under the agency’s “Balik Sasakyan” initiative.

“Of these recovered vehicles, 23 were recovered through technical carnapping investigations, while the remaining 35 vehicles were recovered through flag-down operations and a series of anti-carnapping and checkpoint operations,” Sangalang said.

“These operations were guided by data-based information on vehicles with local alarms, allowing our personnel to identify and intercept suspected carnapped vehicles,” he added.

Sangalang cited that all returned vehicles were cleared, processed, and maintained in good physical condition prior to release.

The public turnover comes after lawmakers during a recent Senate Committee on Public Services hearing raised concerns regarding reports of law enforcement personnel using impounded and recovered stolen vehicles.

Addressing the issue, Sangalang emphasized that the PNP-HPG has tightened internal monitoring and oversight procedures across its ranks.

“Your PNP-HPG remains committed to protecting vehicle owners, combating carnapping, ensuring road safety, and upholding accountability within our organization,” Sangalang said.