No bail for driver accused of theft

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Prosecutor's Office recommended no bail against a driver who took and drove away two empty containerized 20-footer vans owned by the Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation (PSACC).

Prosecutor Rhodna Bacatan charged Rochill Colegado, 27, employed as driver of Bovir Trucking Services at MacArthur Blvd., Pier 4, Port Area, Cebu City, for qualified theft.

The maritime police originally filed cases against Rogelio Jurac, a checker of PSACC, formerly known as Sulpicio Lines Inc., and Colegado.

Police Superintendent Salbino Calubiran Piad said the two allegedly conspired with each other "pouching" two containerized vans with an estimated value of P150,000 each.

However, Bacatan dismissed the complaint filed against Jurac for lack of probable cause saying the participation of Jurac in the commission of the crime was not clearly established based on the evidence presented.

"In fact, the affidavit of the arresting officer did not mention any reason why Jurac was arrested. The mere mention that Jurac was a co-conspirator without any allegation as to his overt acts in participating with the crime is clearly insufficient to indict him with a crime," resolution reads.

Bacatan then ordered the arresting officers to release Jurac from their custody unless detained for some other reasons.

In the affidavit executed by Jic Vasayllaje, 35, a resident of Sitio Fatima, Barangay Duljo Fatima, he said he was a duty checker detailed at Zion repair van shop and that on March 17, 2012, Colegado, withdrew two empty containerized 20-footer vans as stated on the van transfer slip to be delivered at the container yard located at Pier 5, Port area, Cebu City.

However, when he verified at the container yard, he was surprised when he found out that the container vans were not delivered by Colegado.

The maritime police said they recovered the vans in an open space in the vicinity of Sitio Limonsito, Umapad, Mandaue City. — Mylen P. Manto/MIT (THE FREEMAN)