MANILA, Philippines?Anything can happen on the road. Between points A to Z, you can meet an accident or meet someone with bad intentions. The former you can prepare for, and even prevent up to a certain degree. But for the latter, you need more than prayer and a stroke of good luck to see you, and your vehicle, through.

Curiously, despite the heinousness of the recent crimes committed against drivers (and car traders), the Philippine National Police has tallied fewer carjacking incidents?down by 8.62 percent?in 2010 compared with 2009. That?s 164 less vehicles stolen in 2010 compared with 2009?s 1,903. It?s just that a couple of high-profile crimes done in a highly sordid manner can overshadow all that has been gained so far. Col. Edwin Butacan, Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group public information officer admitted to Inquirer Motoring as much: ?The incidents involving Evangelista and Lozano are very unusual, if the (perpetrators) went only for the cars. There might be other motives yet to be established by the Special Investigation Task Group.?

In other words, the case involving Emerson Lozano and Venson Evangelista, both known car traders who were both abducted and found burned beyond recognition a few days after in various places in Central Luzon, was no simple case of carjacking. But the question remains: If it can happen to them, what?s to prevent the criminals who did this from doing the same to us?

And it?s not a very comforting thought that our loved ones are driving, at this moment, ?hot cars? so coveted by car thieves: The Vioses, L300s, Civics, Urvans, Crosswinds and Starexes?their being ubiquitous the perfect cover for criminals who have something to hide at least until these cars have been chop-chopped for the selling block.

Butacan does assure the public that ?anti-theft? devices, such as car alarms, steering and rim locks and engine disabling devices are all good. But ultimately, in cases where drivers and passengers themselves are also taken along with the vehicles, a reliable GPS [global positioning system] would do much better.

But enabling authorities to be able to track you and your vehicle?s whereabouts in times of mortal danger doesn?t come cheap. A GPS tracking device can set you back about P15,000 depending on its features.

GPS combines extensive databases, telephony, satellite imaging, the Internet and the latest hardware and software developments to track every type of vehicle. GPS devices make use of an internationally maintained network of low-flying satellites (up to 24 of them orbiting the Earth) that emit regular beacons triangulated to determine a location on the earth with pinpoint accuracy. Combine accuracy and fast telemetry with an extensive databank of roads and highways, and you?ve got an eye in the sky that won?t take its gaze off you.

The not-so-good news may be its price. But the good?and better?news is that the technology is readily available in the Philippines. William S. Chong, assistant vice president of INAV Philippines (41 Aurora Boulevard, near UERM Hospital and Central Colleges of the Philippines in Quezon City), showed Inquirer Motoring one GPS tracking device out of its varied lineup of tracking devices using GPS.

On top of the virtual data revealing the location of a particular vehicle, INAV Philippines also showed it is capable of storing real-time video footage inside a vehicle cabin, such as a provincial bus. All it takes is a GPS tracking system and an upgraded video camera capable of uploading images digitally.

?Our difference with other tracking systems is that we do our own maps, provide our navigation and host our own server. We have our control center. We have full control of the whole system, and we have accurate maps,? Chong stressed. ?If the bus with Hong Kong tourists held hostage at the Quirino Grandstand had this, we could have had a blow-by-blow account of what really happened in there,? he mused.

Chong demonstrated some of the salient features of the new GPS/GSM/GPRS vehicle tracking device, which is designed for real-time vehicle tracking and monitoring, and ideal for fleet management. The device records mileage, and has various alerts for emergencies, speed, towing and power low/loss. Tracking can be done in time or distance intervals, or in ?smart? mode. The system is capable of connecting to multiple cameras in certain locations in a vehicle.

?The device can determine where the car is located, even in places where there are no roads. We have four teams who map the whole Philippines,? Chong revealed.

Using this device, the car owner can then use his or her PC or mobile phone to monitor the vehicle. The device also has vehicle security features, such as engine immobilizer and alarm system.

To deter carnappers from easily disabling the system, the device is integrated to the vehicle ignition system. Should the carjacker find the video cam and disable it, the GPS tracking system would continue tracking the car. And even if the thieves burn the car, the last location of the car can still be determined. Chong said that, for family use, GPS is valuable to keep track of loved ones? whereabouts?or at least where their vehicles are?at any given time. For corporate and fleet accounts, GPS systems are indispensable to determine the most cost-efficient routes.

?SOS button, and a virtual fence?

The next system is intended solely for corporate accounts that require fleet management, such as taxis and delivery vehicles.

Rodel Mangulabnan, president and CEO of Silicon Computer and Telecoms Inc. (at the third floor of Belson House, 271 Edsa-Greenhills, Mandaluyong City), disclosed that his company leases equipment that can serve as anti-carnap devices, complete with a ?panic? or SOS button and engine immobilizer. Should a driver be able to press the panic button before he or she is overpowered by carjackers, the company command center would immediately be alerted via a phone alarm. The command center, which can monitor unlimited number of vehicles at a time, would know right away the registration details and the vehicle?s location on a monitor screen. The command center can then disable the engine of the hijacked vehicle via remote.

In case the driver is in on the heist (which makes the panic button useless), Mangulabnan?s system can determine whether the vehicle in question is off its pre-determined route. In this case, a ?virtual fence? enables the system to alert the command center of the straying vehicle, and at this point the remote engine immobilizer can be triggered if the driver does not respond to calls.

Mangulabnan said his software system has been designed primarily to reduce company losses incurred because of delayed deliveries, fuel pilferage and long engine idling times. It also deters driver fatigue that would otherwise lead to accidents. It also provides a sound basis to reward resourceful drivers.

Two-way car alarm

So you may not have enough in the bank to install a GPS tracking system, and you certainly don?t need industrial-grade vehicle tracking systems to monitor your every stop and go. But you still need a decent measure of security for your personal use. Consider, then, the Giordon alternative.

Unlike other car alarm systems that merely make a lot of noise to wake up sleeping neighbors, the Giordon two-way alarm system (for P4,200) can alarm the owner directly, even if he or she is indoors and out of earshot of the car alarm. Via digital remote, the car owner can be notified if someone is breaking and entering his or her vehicle. The car alarm can even sense and report which part of the car is being forced upon (even the window glass and hood).

Charlie Tiu, Benjamin Gokingyok Jr. and tech person Paul Tecson of Road-fit Service (showroom at unit J1 Calamba corner Banawe Street, Quezon City) recently demonstrated at the Inquirer premises how the Giordon remote control can function up to 2 km (the range depending on the openness of the area; if the owner is in an enclosed establishment, range is reduced at 600 meters). The remote LCD, which can be handily attached to the key chain, displays the actual status of the car and the actual spot of the attack.

The remote can also sense and even report trouble before the owner even approaches the car. The alarm sensors, Charlie explained, can be evenly distributed onto all parts of the car. The remote control flashes and emits a chirping sound when the trunk is released, when the ignition is started, when the door is opened, and even when the car is touched. It will also tell the car location by light and sound. The owner can even remotely activate the alarm from afar.

It can?t teach you the latest martial arts move to bring the culprit down, however.

(Readers who wish to know more can log on to INAV Philippines? website www.avt.ph or e-mail inquirery@avt.ph. Call 7138312 to 15. Silicon Computer & Telecoms Inc. at www.silicon.com.ph, www.gpstracker.ph, www.netd.ph, or info@silicon.com.ph, or 585-1684, 5067085. Call Road-fit Service at 741-5212 or 711-5329.)