CIDG nabs HPG cop for using ‘stolen’ van
PHILIPPINE National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Director Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee on Saturday announced the arrest of a member of the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) found using a recovered motor vehicle during an operation in Calamba City in Laguna.
In a report to PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the official identified the erring policeman as a Patrolman operative of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 4-A (RHPU 4-A), which supervises all HPG anti-carnapping, anti-hijacking and anti-highway robbery operations in Calabarzon (Cavite/Laguna/Batangas/Rizal/Quezon) region.
Lee said that the suspect, a resident of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, was arrested by a team from the CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit headed by Lt. Col. Joselito E. Villarosa Jr., the HPG 4-A and the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) 4-A in Barangay Laguerta in Calamba City past 6:00 p.m. last Thursday.
The arrest was made following reports that the accused has been using an evidence vehicle—specifically, a white Nissan Van 350 stolen during a robbery-holdup incident in Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa City last July 20.
When flagged down by his colleagues for the initial offense of unlawful transfer of plate number, the accused HPG operative was found driving the white van with a license plate attached.
A record check showed that the plate number was originally assigned to a 2019 model Nissan Terra.
The suspect is now under the custody of the CIDG-AOCU for filing appropriate criminal charges. Lee said they will also recommend to PNP-HPG Director Brig. Gen. Clifford B. Gairanod the filing of administrative charges for grave misconduct against the accused.
“Manhunt operations are still ongoing to apprehend and arrest [the suspect’s] cohorts,” said Lee as he called on his men to intensify their effort to go after rogue police personnel who continue to tarnish the good reputation and image of the force.
Azurin has ordered his men to fully implement the PNP Standard Operating Procedure or PNP-SOP No. 2011-004 or the Revised Procedure in the “Reporting and Disposition of Stolen and Recovered /Impounded Motor Vehicles.”
Himself a former PNP-HPG officer, Azurin wants to ensure that policemen will be fully prohibited from using unregistered, recovered, impounded, and stolen motor vehicles and motorcycles or even removing any parts or accessories of these vehicles as part of their strict internal cleansing program.
