The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has returned 58 recovered stolen vehicles, including seven motorcycles, to their rightful owners under its “Balik Sasakyan” program.
The turnover was held on Thursday, November 5, at the HPG headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, led by HPG Acting Director Police Brigadier General Joyce Patrick Sangalang.
Of the 58 vehicles, 23 were recovered through technical carnapping investigations, while the remaining 35 were retrieved through flag-down operations, checkpoints, and anti-carnapping operations.
Sangalang said the operations were guided by data-based information on vehicles with local alarms, enabling HPG personnel to identify and intercept suspected carnapped vehicles.
The recovered vehicles were cleared and processed before being returned to their registered owners. The HPG also said the vehicles were in good physical condition upon turnover.
The initiative comes amid concerns raised during a recent Senate Committee on Public Services hearing regarding the alleged unauthorized use of recovered and impounded vehicles by some law enforcement personnel.
In response, Sangalang said the HPG has strengthened its internal monitoring and accountability measures, stressing that the personal use of recovered or impounded vehicles under police custody is strictly prohibited.
The HPG chief reiterated the agency's commitment to protecting vehicle owners and holding personnel accountable for any misconduct.
