Mangaoang raps CIDG, judge for seizure of "RHD"

Cebu Customs district collector Lourdes Mangaoang yesterday assailed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Central Visayas and Judge Ireneo Lee Gako Jr. over the raid and seizure of an allegedly right-hand car from a surplus auto dealer last Friday evening.

Mangaoang alleged that the CIDG committed continuous "encroachment" of the functions solely vested in the Customs and that Gako issued a search warrant beyond his jurisdiction.

A formal complaint would be filed this week against the CIDG before Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes and Philippine National Police Director-General Arturo Lomibao, said Mangaoang.

She also mulled on filing an administrative case against Gako before the Supreme Court for alleged ignorance of the law.

The hostility between Mangaoang and the CIDG was revived after the Sanix Surplus was raided Friday for alleged illegal importation of right-hand-vehicles.

Russ Jao, the car outlet owner, was also arrested for possession of a green Toyota MR-S, and allegedly a right-hand-drive sports car, which was also confiscated, on the strength of a warrant. - Fred P. Languido