Capitol driver charged for stealing gas

CEBU, Philippines – A Capitol driver and his alleged accomplice were charged in court for allegedly stealing diesel fuel from a government vehicle issued to Provincial Board member Peter John Calderon.

The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has filed the case for qualified theft against Ronald Gella Cariñosa and Benchito Pingkian Gulbe before the Regional Trial Court.

Cariñosa, driver of Calderon, was allegedly caught stealing 30 liters of diesel fuel from the Toyota Hilux assigned by the Province of Cebu as the service vehicle of Calderon.

PO3 Noel Monares, assigned to the Regional Intelligence Division, said he first noticed two men siphoning the diesel fuel from a Hilux parked near his house in Unit 5, Oprra Village in Barangay Kalunasan.

Monares said he approached the two accused and discovered that the vehicle was owned by the province. Monares said he saw Cariñosa and Gulbe were taking the diesel fuel of the vehicle using a hose and placing it in containers.

Monares immediately called for backup from the Mobile Patrol Group and arrested the suspects. According to Monares, he immediately informed Calderon about it and the latter told him that the taking of diesel fuel from the vehicle does not have his consent.

Calderon said that Cariñosa is his driver and that he allowed the latter to withdraw diesel fuel from the province’s motor pool pump station based on a trip ticket and a requisition slip that he issued.

Calderon said that he is not aware that the diesel fuel withdrawn from the motor pool pump station was being stolen by his driver.

The prosecutor’s office has recommended P16,000 bail for the temporary liberty of each of the accused. — Fred P. Languido/BRP (THE FREEMAN)