The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) advised people who want to buy vehicles online to check with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) if these are not stolen.

Chief Inspector Roderick Tonga, chief of the anti-carnapping section of the QCPD, made the warning after a complainant saw his stolen motorcycle being sold at the popular buy-and-sell website, Ayos.com.ph.

Tonga said those looking to buy on the internet should check with the LTO office first about the status of a vehicle.

From the LTO, Tonga said that the public will be to learn the real owner of a vehicle and if it is flagged as stolen.

He stressed that texting on the 266 LTO text hotline is unreliable since it will only say if the vehicle is registered or not.

The police official also warned the public against vehicles being sold that have no pictures that show the plate numbers.

He pointed out that online sellers should also post pictures of vehicles that also show the plate numbers so prospective buyers can easily check them.

After his motorcycle got stolen last March 6, complainant Borgy Marcelo went to the site Ayos.com.ph to look for a second hand motorcycle, Tonga said.

Though the pictures posted online did not show any plate numbers, Marcelo quickly recognized his motorcycle was being sold in the website because of the personalized customizations made on his vehicle.

With this, Marcelo sought the assistance of Tonga’s office to recover his motorcycle.

Tonga said that his unit conducted a series of operations that led to the arrest of Moriel Boy Garzon, 30, and Stephen Subido, 32, in Rizal province last Thursday.

The QCPD was also able 

to recover from the suspects Marcelo’s motorcycle and four other stolen motorcycles.