Woman Apprehended in Talisay City for Alleged Trafficking of Stolen Motorcycle Engines
In a significant crackdown on illegal activities, a woman was arrested on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in Mananga II, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, for allegedly engaging in the purchase and sale of stolen motorcycle engines. The operation was conducted jointly by personnel from the Highway Patrol Group 7 (HPG 7) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 (CIDG 7).
Suspect and Seized Items Identified
The suspect has been identified as Ellen Balanggie, 44, a resident of Barangay Tabunok. During the raid, operatives from HPG 7 confiscated 13 motorcycle engines and engine blocks of various brands. This action was taken after Balanggie failed to present any documentation proving the legitimacy of the purchase and sale of these items.
Investigation Triggered by Victim Complaint
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Wildemar Tiu, regional chief of HPG 7, the investigation began after they received a complaint from a motorcycle owner whose unit had been stolen. While searching for his stolen motorcycle, the complainant discovered that it had been dismantled, and its engine was being sold at Balanggie's shop. He positively identified the engine based on matching engine numbers from his documents.
"Based on the information, the shop had become a drop-off point for stolen motorcycles. They were chopped into pieces—from the handlebars to the headlights and tail lights—everything," Tiu explained, highlighting the extent of the illegal operation.
Intelligence Monitoring and Raid Details
This discovery prompted authorities to initiate intelligence monitoring in coordination with CIDG 7. They found that the shop allegedly served as a drop-off point where stolen motorcycles were dismantled and sold piece by piece. As part of their mandate, HPG 7 and CIDG 7 conducted a visitation to verify the documentation of the secondhand engines being sold.
During the visit, authorities noted that the owner appeared startled and attempted to hide some engines in the stockroom. Officers prevented this and immediately requested documents proving the legality of the items. When no documents were provided, the engines were confiscated, and Balanggie was arrested.
Ongoing Business and Forensic Examination
Authorities revealed that the suspect had reportedly been engaged in selling secondhand motorcycle engines for some time, with a strong possibility that several stolen motorcycles had already been dismantled and sold through her shop. Tiu mentioned that the 13 confiscated engines each have unique serial and engine numbers, which are recorded in the Land Transportation Office system, including details of their registered owners.
To determine the original owners, HPG 7 has requested that the engines undergo forensic examination through macro-etching, a process they are capable of conducting. This step is crucial for building a solid case against the suspect.
Legal Charges Filed
The suspect will face charges for violation of Section 6 of Presidential Decree 1612, also known as the Anti-Fencing Law, and Section 6 of Republic Act 10883, or the Anti-Carnapping Act. These laws are designed to combat the trafficking of stolen property and vehicle theft, respectively, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
