Group: CIB ‘using’ suspect’s car

A CAUSE-ORIENTED group has accused the Criminal Intelligence Branch (CIB) of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) of using a car that was used by suspects in a series of drive-by shootings last year.

Dennis Abarientos, secretary-general of Karapatan-Central Visayas, said the group will file a complaint before Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and the Land Transportation Office 7 against the CIB over the alleged use of an olive green Kia Rio (license plate YGD-234) to conduct surveillance on an International Women’s Day activity organized by the group Gabriela at the Fuente Osmeña last Friday.

CIB Chief Romeo Santander denied the allegation and challenged Karapatan to identify his men.

Abarientos said in a press statement that police assets took photos of speakers and participants of the rally, and present these to a police officer who was driving the car.

Crime object

“It is highly irregular that an object of a crime is conveniently appropriated by the police for their own illicit purposes. Official or unofficial, such appropriation is just as condemnable as the purpose of its use, which is to curtail a peaceful assembly,” Abarientos said.

He urged the Regional Internal Affairs Service of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 to investigate the incident and prevent the use of items seized by the police from crime suspects.

“Naa diri akong mga tawo. Ipakita then ipa-pinpoint nila kung pwede lang, for transparency, kay puro lang sila allegations (They should identify who among my men
did it. All they do is make accusations without proof),” Santander said.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr., acting chief of CCPO, said the car was sold by Elvis Pacador, parent of the drive-by shooting suspect, to a police officer assigned at the Fuente Police Station.

He said Pacador secured a court approval—a replevin—to take the vehicle, on the condition that he turns it in when required by the court.

Pacador and the police officer who eventually bought the car are friends.

“Suod man gud niya pagkabata unya di sad siya gusto gamiton sa iyang anak (They were friends since they were kids. Pacador does not want his son to use the car),” Natuel said.

He added that Pacador can explain what happened to the car if asked.