CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government will now ensure that all vehicles issued to barangay captains and selected councilmen will not be used for personal and illegal activities following the recent incident wherein a barangay captain used the city vehicle to commit a crime before he allegedly shot himself dead.
Phillip Zafra, chief of staff of Mayor Michael Rama, said all vehicles issued to the barangays will be painted with "For Official Use Only" on both sides.
Although the vehicles were already marked, some unscrupulous officials removed the markings on the sides. Zafra said that the markings can be removed easily because these were just made of stickers.
Zafra also warned those who have been issued with the city-owned vehicles not to remove the original plate of the vehicles because it is illegal and can be impounded once caught.
The late Mabini barangay captain Rey Oybenes replaced the original plate with "For Registration" and removed the stickers bearing the "For Official Use Only" markings on both sides.
Zafra said that all city-owned vehicles issued to the barangays will be marked with FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY using paint once it refuel at the city depot.
"Duna na sila'y giandam nga spray paint para imarka kay aron pagsiguro nga dili na gayud masayon-sayon lang sa pagtangtang (They have prepared a spray paint for marking to ensure that this will not be removed)," Zafra told The Freeman.
Oybenes used the city-owned Toyota Hilux to transport the dead body of his alleged girlfriend, Rohama Luage, to Barangay Cansumoroy in Balamban. Oybenes dumped Luage's body into a ravine.
Witnesses, including a V-hire driver, reported the incident to the police who happened to pass by the Trans-Central Highway during that time. Oybenes was pursued but was able to escape until his body was found inside the government vehicle issued to him in Tigbao, Talamban few hours later.
He was found to have single gunshot wound in his left chest and was believed to have shot himself dead. (FREEMAN)