METRO Manila remains the favorite "hunting ground" for car thieves as the Traffic Management Group of the Philippine National Police recorded a total of 359 car theft incidents from January 1 to June 15 this year.

Of these incidents, TMG head Chief Supt. Ricardo C. Quinto said 253 or 70.47 percent took place in the National Capital Region, particularly in Quezon City, Manila, Makati, Pasay, Mandaluyong and Parañaque while 106 or 29.53 percent occurred in other regions.

The TMG said an average of 2.38 vehicles are stolen each day in Metro Manila.

Quinto said 313 vehicles were stolen while parked and 46 were taken from their owners at gunpoint.

"But to date, carnapping remains within manageable levels and it is continuing to have
a downward trend," he said.

The TMG recorded 420 incidents of car theft during the same period last year or a decrease of 14.52 percent, Quinto said.

But he said there is a need to pursue a more aggressive campaign against car thieves in the country, particularly in the metropolis. He also urged the public to take safety precautions to prevent their vehicle from being stolen such as parking in well-lit places and installing safety alarms or steering locks in their vehicles.

Of the 359 vehicles stolen from January 1 to June 15 this year, 165 were recovered by the TMG. Its agents arrested 64 suspected car thieves and filed 45 car theft cases in different courts during the period.

TMG agents have shot dead 16 suspected car thieves in the country.