PHILIPPINE National Police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) director, Brigadier General Warren F. De Leon, on Friday, announced the arrest of a sacked operative of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) for driving a “recovered” evidence vehicle inside the PNP National Headquarters in Camp Crame.

In a report to PNP chief, Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., the official said the suspect, with the rank of Police Staff Sergeant, now assigned to the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM-PHAU).

The accused was “relieved” from the PNP-DEG and assigned to the DPRM-PHAU in connection with the ongoing investigation into the controversial 990-kilo shabu haul of the unit, which was marred by massive pilferage in Sta. Cruz, Manila, in October last year.

De Leon said that the suspect was driving a golden brown Honda car when flagged down at Camp Crame’s Gate 1 along EDSA 3:49 p.m. last May 9 by officers of the IMEG Counter-Intelligence Division led by Lieutenant Colonel Leo M. Canuel.

The IMEG officers were backed up by operatives from the PNP Headquarters Support Service’s Camp Security Enforcement Unit and Intelligence and Investigation Division during the operation to arrest the active policeman.

De Leon said he ordered the launching of the operation to identify and arrest the suspect following a text message sent to the PNP-IMEG hotline regarding the “illegal use” of the suspect of a “recovered evidence vehicle.”

During a search of the vehicle, the official said that officers discovered that the car was sporting a counterfeit PNP-HSS Decal or sticker, which allows the bearer entry to the PNP national headquarters and other police and military camps.

Also recovered inside the vehicle were 81 pieces of fake P1,000 bills which were being used as “boodle money” in the conduct of buy-bust operations, and other personal belongings of the accused as well as his PNP identification cards and a Certificate of Appearance from the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 178.

De Leon said that the suspect was also stripped of his weapon, a Glock 17 USA pistol with a magazine containing 15 live ammunition.

The official said that also found inside the evidence vehicle was an Official Receipt from Toyota Philippines under the name of one “Nicolai Reyes,” P89,000 in P1,000 denominations, and a “balisong.”

The accused was taken to the PNP-IMEG headquarters for further investigation and filing of criminal and administrative charges, said the official.

De Leon said they are coordinating with the PNP-DEG under Brig. Gen. Faro Antonio O. Olaguera their investigation into the background of the recovered vehicle.

The arrest of the suspect came amid a reminder from the PNP leadership that there is a “very strict” PNP policy against the use of recovered motor vehicles and motorcycles, an offense punishable by dismissal from the force.

A number of police officers and men have been arrested, jailed and charged in court for violating the directive, which prohibits all members of the police force from using motor vehicles and motorcycles recovered from raids, drug raids and searches and other police operations.

Acorda said there will be no more warnings on the non-use of recovered motor vehicles and motorcycles and warned violators they will face the consequence of their actions.

The PNP chief ordered the PNP-IMEG and the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to step-up their campaign against police officers and men using “hot cars,” including recovered stolen motor vehicles and motorcycles.

The top cop also ordered a nationwide inspection and inventory of all motor vehicles impounded as evidence in different police headquarters to prevent their unauthorized use by some erring policemen.

The PNP has its 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.

Amid their strict internal cleansing program, the PNP leadership warned police personnel found to be using evidence vehicles of stiff administrative sanctions for “infidelity in the custody of evidence” while those in possession of undocumented or stolen vehicles will face appropriate criminal charges.