PNP unit unaware car parked in Malacañang was stolen

MANILA, Philippines –  The Philippine National Police’s Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) said yesterday its personnel had not been aware that an allegedly stolen car had been parked in front of their office in Malacañang.

In a statement, the PPU clarified that a stolen Ford Everest wagon (ZEF-985) was turned over to proper authorities before it was reported recovered in Malacañang.

The PPU said the car was bought by one of its men, Police Officer 2 Milbert Bicol, who moonlights as a buy and sell businessman, from a friend who assured him that the car’s papers are in order.

The PPU said Bicol checked with the Land Transportation Office and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and found out that there was no alarm for the vehicle to indicate it had been stolen.

“There is a possibility that after Bicol had checked on the car’s papers, that was the time the owner reported its loss to the HPG,” a PPU official, who requested anonymity since he was not authorized to speak on the matter, told The STAR. 

Bicol is facing charges of violation of the anti-carjacking and anti-fencing laws before Cavite City prosecutors.

PPU chief Senior Superintendent Pablo Francisco Balagtas said Bicol is in restrictive custody at the Police Security Protection Group in Camp Crame.

Barbara Ruth Fernandez, 44, identified Bicol as the person who offered to resell to her the Everest, registered under her husband’s name, which had been stolen on Jan. 8 from their garage in Bacoor, Cavite.

Fernandez contacted the HPG, which found the stolen vehicle parked at the PPU compound in Malacañang.

According to Balagtas, he does not tolerate any wrongdoing by his men. “I was not aware of his illegal activities. All I know is that Bicol is engaged in buy and sell business,” he said.

Administrative charges will also be filed against Bicol as soon as investigators secure Fernandez’s affidavit of complaint, he said.