AMID an ongoing probe into the alleged “cannibalization” of an impounded motorcycle while in the custody of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), an officer clarified that the motorcycle was actually involved in a vehicular accident.
Kent Francesco Jongoy, CCTO’s legal officer, told SunStar Cebu that during their investigation, prompted by a social media post that went viral, they found out that there was, in fact, a blotter report on the motorcycle, indicating that the unit has no battery and side mirror because it was involved in a vehicular accident.
“Naa man mi (We have) documents here to say otherwise sa iyang giingon (of what he said),” Jongoy said.
The CCTO then called on the complainant to file a formal complaint.
On Sept. 27, a video of a motorcycle owner who was surprised when he found out that his four-month-old motorcycle held at the impounding area of the CCTO was stripped of some of its parts was circulated on social media.
In an interview with SunStar’s commentary program “Beyond the Headlines” on Sept. 27, the complainant said his motorcycle was impounded last July 13, after it got involved in an accident.
The owner could not claim the motorcycle right away because he did not have an official receipt and certificate of registration (OR/CR) at that time. Later, when he obtained the OR/CR and had enough money to pay the penalties, he went to the CCTO to claim the unit.
He said he paid P3,600 for storage and penalties.
But he denied that the missing parts were due to the accident.
“Nabuak lang to siya kay nadisgrasya, nabangga man gud to siya. Pero ang guba ra g’yud kuno ato kay ang telescopic ra, nahiwi ra maong di kadagan,” he said.
Jongoy claimed to have records from both the CCTO and the impounding facility’s security agency to support his claim.
He said the CCTO will forward their investigation result to the City Legal Office for further action.
He said the complainant did not file a formal complaint and did not show up when invited to a meeting.
“I hope he will come hopefully by the time ipatawag sa city legal nato,” said Jongoy
However, SunStar’s site visit on Sept. 29 showed that the impounding facility has barriers, which are only visible in the front, and the facility lacks sufficient light posts and barriers on the side.
But Jongoy said the CCTO’s impounding facility is properly secured and that there are security measures in place.
Jongoy also said there is no issue on the part of CCTO when it comes to security.
Jongoy said there are 24-hour administrative personnel who receive and take down notes and records all vehicles that pass through the impounding facility, and there are also closed-circuit TV cameras in places.
Jongoy said that from 2010 to 2022, they recorded 3,098 unclaimed motorcycles, majority of which were involved in vehicular accidents and under legal custody when these were transferred from various police stations to the CCTO for safekeeping, 305 four-wheeled vehicles, including trailers, and 1,223 trisikads.
SunStar Cebu tried to get a statement from the owner of the motorcycle, but to no avail.
