5 RHD cars seized in Talisay City raid

Five right-hand drive vehicles were seized in a raid by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group from a yard in barangay San Roque, Talisay City, allegedly owned by businessman Gil Chua.

The raid was carried out 7 p.m. Wednesday by policemen armed with a warrant issued by judge Soliver Peras, they had placed the yard under surveillance two days prior to the raid.

There were only two right-hand drive Nissan Terranos specified in the warrant as these were the only vehicles initially seen last Wednesday afternoon.

But according to CIDG-7 intelligence chief Rex Derilo three more were seen when they raided the yard, another Nissan Terrano and two Isuzu Bighorns.

Derilo also said they saw another vehicle believed to be a right-hand drive being driven away from the area.

During the implementation of the warrant, Chua was not around and his caretaker identified as Adonis Sumayan accepted the document.

Three barangay tanods from the area witnessed the operation, Derilo said.

CIDG legal consultant Inocencio dela Serna pointed out that based on Philippine laws such vehicles are illegal as their importation is not allowed.

"All vehicles by visual inspection are clearly right hand drive. The steering wheel is in the right and there is no tampering here," he said, adding they will cite Chua for violation of Section 1 of Republic Act 8506 that deals with the illegal importation, operation, use and registration of right-hand drive vehicles.

A few months ago, CIDG was in the limelight after its operatives seized a right-hand drive sports car in a raid at yard owned by businessman Russ Jao in Kinasang-an, Pardo, that was not among those specified in the warrant.

The policemen insisted they confiscated it as it was in plain view.

A legal battle on the proper conduct of the raid ensued and later the court ruled that the car in question was really right-hand driven and CIDG-7 was ordered to turn it over to the Bureau of Customs. - Ryan P. Borinaga