SPD civilian agent caught stealing motorbike

MANILA, Philippines - A civilian agent of the Southern Police District (SPD) was caught red-handed stealing a bank employee’s motorcycle in Pasig City yesterday.

Fortunato Santos III was driving the motorcycle out of a parking lot when the vehicle’s owner, Francis Elisar Publite, 23, spotted him.

With the help of a security guard, Publite arrested Santos, who claimed the motorcycle was under “surveillance” because it was being used in an illegal activity.

At the time of his arrest, Santos identified himself as a police officer assigned at the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and a civilian agent of the SPD under Superintendent Jose Rony Velasco.

Publite told Senior Inspector Victoriano de Castro, chief of the District Investigation and Detective Management Division (DIDMD) of the Eastern Police District (EPD) that he parked his Suzuki R150 motorcycle at the RHS Parking Services in Ortigas Center at about 11:30 a.m. yesterday.

When he returned at 12:15 p.m., Publite – an employee of the Insular Bank – saw Santos driving his motorcycle away prompting him to seek the help of security guard, Bobbie James.

Recovered from Santos were police identification cards and different parking receipts.

Santos claimed he has no intention of stealing Publite’s motorcycle, claiming his only fault was not coordinating with proper authorities.

Police are preparing car theft charges against Santos, who is being held at the Pasig City Jail.