Crime lab cops face raps for 'error' in investigation

Officials and some personnel of the Cebu-based PNP Crime Laboratory Service are to be sued in court for certifying that the serial numbers of the Mitsubishi Strada pick-up owned by the City of Valencia, Bukidnon reportedly stolen by unidentified persons and recovered in Dumaguete City were not tampered with.

Insp. Simplicio Torredes, chief of the intelligence and investigation branch of the PNP Traffic Management Group-7 based at Camp Sotero Cabahug, said the conclusions of the PNP Crime Laboratory Service is contrary to the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation that also conducted a macro etching on the vehicle's serial numbers.

TMG-7 commander Abdalun Awilun reported to Camp Crame that the NBI technicians confirmed that the chassis numbers of the Mitsubishi Strada pick-up bearing plate number LMD-679 were being tampered with when it was subjected to a macro etching.

It was also found out that the last six digits of the original chassis numbers matched the chassis numbers of a vehicle that was reported stolen while it was parked at Bonifacio Street, Poblacion, Valencia City, last year.

Torredes said somebody had informed him that the mayor of Valencia City is contemplating to file proper charges against the officials and some personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory Service for its wrong conclusions.

After the vehicle was stolen, it was immediately reported to the Traffic Management Group in Camp Crame and the report was encoded in its centralized computer system for the TMG personnel nationwide to look for it.

Fortunately, the team of S/Insp. Juanito Borromeo intercepted the Mitsubishi Strada along the national highway of barangay Palantubig, Dumaguete City last December 14.

The one who drove the vehicle was identified as Brian Bautista, but it was registered to Cleofe Guerrero of Dumaguete City. The motor vehicle file number is 1112-562632 and is reportedly issued by the Land Transportation Office in Davao City.

But Estrella Cahilog of the Davao-based LTO office said the motor vehicle file number doesn't exist in their records. It prompted the TMG personnel to have the vehicle subjected to a macro etching. - Rene U. Borromeo