PSG drunken Spree: One of drunk cops assigned to Customs

Customs district collector Lourdes Mangaoang yesterday admitted that it was one of her bodyguards who was with a member of the Presidential Security Group on board the Isuzu Trooper that figured in a traffic accident Tuesday night.

Mangaoang corrected her earlier denial after she learned that PO3 Roque Rañola is one of the six policemen detailed at the Bureau of Customs after she received several threats following her assumption to office.

Mangaoang said she only knew Rañola as "Bong" which prompted her to issue statement that she did not know the people on board the vehicle. She explained further that she did not know all the policemen detailed to her office because she deals directly with the team leader.

Mangaoang said she will request regional police chief Eduardo Gador to relieve Rañola from his present assignment. She flared up because Rañola failed to inform her about the incident until now or answer her calls.

Mangaoang admitted that she would be liable for the damage of the vehicle, as her friend Ruda Abejuela from Alabang, Manila, owned it.

She also lent the car to presidential assistant for Central Visayas Felix Guanzon who requested a car from her to be used by the advance party of President Gloria Arroyo who was here last Wednesday for a national summit of religious leaders.

But Rañola and S/Sgt. Richard Josol, both drunk, drove the car and got into an accident twice, hurting five civilians. Josol is already under camp restriction while an administrative investigation is being conducted. - Fred P. Languido