MANILA, Philippines — Operatives of the PNP Highway Patrol Group stepped up its anti-carnapping operations and recovered scores of stolen vehicles in the different parts of the country.

Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, PNP-HPG director, said the successful recovery of those vehicles was part of their renewed drive against car theft syndicates following the death of two car dealers recently in Central Luzon.

The first anti-carnapping operation by PNP highway patrol operatives resulted in the apprehension of a driver of a Honda car while sporting a fake plate and bearing spurious documents in San Fernando Pampanga.

Police were on anti-carnapping mission at about 8 a.m. last Thursday along MacArthur Highway, San Fernando, Pampanga when they spotted the said Honda car with plate number ZA-3236 that turned out to be fake. Its driver who was not immediately identified was arrested and the vehicle was impounded for investigation.

In Cebu City, police anti-carnapping elements also seized last Thursday morning a Toyota Vios with plate number ZFE-341 while its driver was applying for transfer of ownership at the HPG office. It was later discovered to be under alarm prompting policemen to seize it for proper disposition.

In Lipa City, Batangas, highway patrol group elements of Calabarzon (Region 4A) intercepted a Mitsubishi Pajero with plate number EHT-898 that turned out to be covered by hold order. The vehicle was being driven by one Romel Libres of Lipa City when it was intercepted by the police.