Stolen vehicle used in slay not owned by ex-lawmaker

The stolen Mitshubishi Adventure (WPK-530) involved in a traffic altercation that resulted in the fatal shooting of Rolando Rivera, driver of a Rizal provincial board member, is not owned by former Quezon City Rep. Antonio Modesto Aquino.

The clarification was made by Armando Manuel, assistant vice president for service of Autohaus Quezon City Inc. (AQC).

"I am not in any way related to ex-congressman Aquino as stated in the story. My brother, Antonio Manuel, was the driver of the said vehicle at the time it was stolen.

Manuel said the vehicle theft was reported to one SPO3 Castro of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) by telephone at 11:15 a.m. on July 13. This was supported by an authenticated photocopy of the official blotter book signed by Senior Inspector Emmanuel Tabuena of the Chief Investigation Section.

"My brother and I were surprised and extremely concerned to find out that the stolen vehicle was used in another crime. We immediately decided to proceed to the Marikina police station at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 14 to give a statement and volunteer our cooperation," Armando said.

The vehicle is owned by Prosearch Inc., as evidenced by Land Transportation Office documents and confirmed by its president, Ferdinand Dularte, who is also the vice president for administration at AQC.

He was advised of the loss of the company vehicle in the morning of July 14.