Rookie cop faces dismissal for driving stolen car

MANILA, Philippines - A rookie policeman is facing a possible dismissal from the service after he and a companion were caught driving a stolen sports utility vehicle, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.

The PNP said that Police Officer 1 Argel Nabor, assigned with the District Public Safety Battalion of the Northern Police District and his companion Roberto Relayo Jr., have been formally charged before the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office for using a fake license plate and for violation of the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) reported that Nabor and Relayo were driving a black Toyota Hilux (TOG-340) when they were caught by authorities along Daang Hari road in Muntinlupa City in the afternoon of October 31.

Police flagged the suspects down for initial violation of non-validation of sticker for 2013 on the vehicle's windshield, color covered plate, suspected fake plate and illegal use of siren.

Verification made with the HPG-Vehicle Information Management System bared that the vehicle is in its watchclist.

The vehicle was reported taken at gunpoint from Sony Boy Dela Peña by three suspects on September 17 around 2 a.m. in front of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City.

The HPG said that based on records from the Land Transportation Office, the license plate number TOG-340 is bogus and that it was assigned to another Toyota Hi-lux registered under the name of ATA Clara Power Corp. with business address along EDSA in Mandaluyong City.

The stolen vehicle was registered to Jerome Santos of Tondo, Manila.

Nabor and Relayo have been brought the PNP's detention facility in Camp Crame, Quezon City.