MANILA, Philippines – A total of 26 vehicles believed to be stolen have been recovered by officials of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) in separate operations in General Santos City and Bacolod.

Police suspect that members of Baktin carjacking group stole the cars.

The vehicles are believed to be stolen in Luzon. Their parts are then tampered before the vehicles are sold in Mindanao.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) will coordinate with Malacañang to determine if government officials are involved in the illegal trade.

"Kung mayroon mang nagkasala sa mga ahensiya lalo na sa procedure ng pag-procure sa mga vehicles, wala kaming hesitation na kasuhan ang mga taong ito," said Gen. Reginald Villasanta, executive director of PAOCC.

Meanwhile, a resident of General Santos is facing charges of car theft in relation to a Hyundai Starex van that went missing in Angeles, Pampanga in 2008.

"It found its way into the hands of the Baktin carnapping syndicate at napunta rito,” said Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, chief of PNP-HPG.

PNP-HPG officials swooped down on the home of the suspect, identified as Bong Aquia, to confiscate 29 firearms supposedly in Aquia’s possession.

However, the weapons were not found in the suspect’s home. --Report from Doland Castro, ABS-CBN News