KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Authorities have launched pursuit operations against a government driver who allegedly stole his driven vehicle and cash from a city councilor here around 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Superintendent Leo Ajero, city police director, identified the suspect as Arthur Mangi, 50, casual employee for two years assigned to City Councilor and lawyer Greg Yarra.

Yarra told the police his cash amounting to P800,000 placed inside a brown sling bag was also missing and believed to be stolen by his driver.

Police recovered Yarra's vehicle, a black Avanza bearing license plate SHE 732, inside the city's overland terminal on Ninoy Aquino Ave. around 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

An hour later, Yarra's another driver, a certain Ariel, who has a duplicate key to the vehicle, arrived at the terminal and opened the car.

Yarra expressed his frustration when he confirmed his bag with his cash was missing.

He said part of the cash that was stolen was his salary and cash incentives as city councilor. Also, his driver has also taken P400,000 that he just loaned from one of the banks in the city.

"It was so disgusting, so frustrating. I have given my full trust and confidence to my driver. I did not expect he would do this to me," the councilor said.

Yarra hinted Mangi could have exited the city by riding on a passenger van going to Davao City after he parked the Avanza inside the terminal.

Mangi, a native of Luzon, has a relative who resides in Davao City.

Charges of carnapping and robbery will be filed against Mangi.