A vehicle that was reported stolen in 2012 in Quezon City ended up being driven by a police sergeant who was caught during a follow-up operation in Calamba City in Laguna on Sunday night, Feb. 20.
Police Chief Master Sergeant Allan Casanas is now under the custody of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now facing dismissal from the service, according to PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
IMEG director Brig. Gen. Oliver Enmodias said the operation stemmed from a tip-off that Casanas has been driving stolen vehicle, prompting his men to place the erring cop under surveillance.
The initial result of the verification revealed that the vehicle driven by Casanas was actually owned by a certain Jeanet Gisalan and was reported to stolen Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City on August 28, 2012.
He added that the license plate attached to the vehicle, PBI-531, was found to have been originally issued to a black Ford Focus Hatchback registered under the name of Total Philippines Corporation.
In coordination with the Highway Patrol Group, Enmodias said Casanas was arrested along Chipeco Avenue in Barangay Halang, Calamba City while driving the vehicle.
“The suspect was asked for documents as proof of ownership of the said vehicle but failed to show any,” said Enmodias.
Carlos, for his part, expressed gratitude to the tipster and vowed that the tipster's identity will remain secret.
"The arrest of the accused should be a fair warning to all members of the police force that they have a ‘zero tolerance policy’ on policemen involved in all kinds of irregularities including those using recovered motor vehicles or motorcycles recovered in police operations or are in actual possession of stolen SUVs, cars and motorbikes and are using them or trying to sell them to other people," said Carlos.
He said criminal and administrative charges will be filed against Casanas.
Enmodias, on the other hand, called on the public to report the presence of any police personnel involved in irregularities to their hotlines (Smart) 0998-9702286 or (Globe) 0995-7952569.
He sad Information may also be forwarded to Facebook Page: Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group.