The Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group facilitated the release of a recovered Toyota Hilux pickup truck to its registered owner under Oplan Balik Sasakyan in Bacolod City on Saturday, Jan. 17.
The turnover was conducted at around 12:07 p.m. at the Regional Highway Patrol Unit–Negros Island Region office inside Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr., Brgy. Estefania.
Police said personnel of the City Highway Patrol Team Bacolod released the silver Toyota Hilux after the owner presented the required documents, including the certificate of registration and official receipt.
The release was effected pending the results of the macro-etching and physical identification examination conducted by the Negros Occidental Regional Forensic Unit.
Police records showed the vehicle was earlier recovered at around 3:03 p.m. on Jan. 15 along Lacson Street, Brgy. 40, Bacolod City, during the intensified enforcement of Republic Act No. 10883 or the Anti-Carnapping Act.
Authorities said the vehicle was flagged down during a routine patrol and plate-spotting operation after the driver failed to present a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration documents, prompting its temporary custody for verification.
PNP-HPG Director PBGen Hansel M. Marantan said Oplan Balik Sasakyan underscores the unit’s commitment to returning recovered vehicles to their rightful owners while ensuring proper verification and forensic examination.
The PNP-HPG reminded motorists to always carry valid vehicle documents and to immediately coordinate with authorities in case of any irregular incident involving their vehicles.*