BAGUIO CITY — Elements of the Highway Patrol Group in the Cordillera have confiscated dozens of tampered vehicle engines in an automotive shop along Bokawkan Road here over the weekend.

The seizure of the tampered engines is part of the HPG’s intensified operation relative to the implementation of the anti-fencing campaign especially among automotive shops in the different parts of Baguio and Benguet.

Operatives of the scene of the crime operation (SOCO) team said an initial ten engines were found to have tampered serial numbers.

However, HPG-Cordillera officials predicted the number of tampered engines to increase in the coming days since inspection of other confiscated engines is still under way.

Aside from possible violation of the anti-fencing law, those behind the display and sale of tampered vehicle engines can also be charged with violation of the anti-car theft law.

Under the anti-fencing law, any establishment or entity dealing with the sale or purchase of an item or object obtained from an unlicensed dealer must secure the necessary clearance or permit from the police station commander of the town where such store, establishment or entity is located.

There were reports that engines and other vehicle parts of stolen vehicles in Metro Manila and other parts of Central and Northern Luzon are being brought to Baguio and Benguet where they are sold to unsuspecting buyers in various automotive shops.