CEBU - The composite task force headed by the Office of the Ombudsman netted at least 15 government vehicles during the opening salvo of its “Oplan Red Plate” campaign over the weekend.
Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said they already sent investigators to the agencies that own those vehicles caught during the operation last weekend were assigned.
Apostol said he purposely sent investigators to expedite the gathering of the needed documents such as trip tickets.
Although, Apostol refused to reveal the identity of the officials to whom the 15 vehicles were issued, two ranking officials have already admitted using their vehicles last weekend.
Provincial Board Member Wilfredo Caminero and acting alien control officer Reynaldo Almaden earlier admitted in media that they were caught by the task force.
Caminero’s service vehicle was spotted by the “Oplan Red Plate” task force at the SM parking lot last Sunday. Almaden’s vehicle was also caught in the Ayala parking lot a day earlier.
Caminero said he was on his way to attend an official function at the Cebu International Convention Center when he decided to drop by at SM to take lunch. According to him, the vehicle was covered with trip ticket.
Almaden, on the other hand, claimed he was meeting foreign investors last Saturday in one of the restaurants in Ayala Center. He said it was part of his official functions as alien control officer of the Bureau of Immigration.
He described the incident as a demolition job against him, a claim Apostol that strongly denied. Apostol said that their campaign is not directed to specific personality.
Apostol said it was just unfortunate for Almaden that his vehicle was one of those spotted by the task force. “Pwede na rason na kumain pero titingnan pa natin yan.”
Apostol said they hope to finish the investigation within one month.
Those who will fail to justify their use of the government vehicles will be formally facing administrative investigation.
Those who will be found guilty will likely to face six months suspension to a maximum of dismissal from service. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)