Police official denies issues involving carnapped cars

CEBU - The high-ranking policeman who was one of those tagged by controversial businesswoman Alma Gonzales as among those responsible for her “embarrassment” has denied the accusations against him.

Sr. Supt. Antonio Gardiola, chief of Highway Patrol Group, admitted that Gonzales was referring to him, considering he led the HPG 7 last Dec. 2 to 8 when the operations to recover the 15 vehicles were held.

Three of the recovered vehicles were allegedly carnapped by Gonzales.

“How will I collaborate with that judge when I do not know him or her in the first place?” Gardiola said during a phone interview.

The police official said he is not mad at Gonzales, as what she had earlier claimed.

Earlier, Gonzales alleged that Gardiola got angry at her and wanted to embarrass her because she did not give him the Chevrolet Captiva, an SUV pawned to her by a casino player in Manila.

But Gardiola explained that the said vehicle was owned by a casino player who sought his help to recover it.

He said he tried to acquire the vehicle from Gonzales because he pitied its owner who allegedly always had a fight with her husband over the said vehicle. Gonzales refused to give it back until she was paid with almost half a million.

Gardiola said that he only did his job as chief of the Task Force Limbas as there were many complainants coming to their office regarding stolen or carnapped vehicles.

Gonzales, in an early report, tagged Gardiola and a judge, who she refused to name, as the ones responsible for the “embarrassment” she is now facing following the recovery of 15 alleged stolen vehicles that were sold by Gonzales by the operatives of the Police Regional Office-7 and HPG-7. —Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)