CIDG sued for seizing "stolen" car

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has been charged in court for illegally impounding a vehicle they suspected of being carnapped.

Salvador Pahinado, a nurse from barangay Dumlog, Talisay City, filed a case before the Regional Trial Court against the CIDG in Central Visayas headed by Sr. Supt. Jose Gorge Corpuz after his Mitsubishi Strada was allegedly seized without legal basis.

Pahinado said that SPO2 Noel Seno, a member of CIDG assigned at Camp Sotero Cabahug, seized his vehicle and impounded it on mere suspicion that this was stolen from its rightful owner. Pahinado said Seno seized the vehicle without telling him who the "rightful owner" was.

Pahinado said he was able to present proof that he owned the vehicle but CIDG officials refused to release it. Pahinado said he bought the vehicle from a certain Sheila Salvatera last April 10, 2006 and showed a deed of sale duly notarized by a notary public.

Salvatera was also proven to be the registered owner of the vehicle before it was sold to Pahinado as evidenced by a certificate of registration issued to her by the Land Transportation Office last December 16, 2005.

Pahinado said that before any vehicle may be issued a certification of registration a clearance is required from the Traffic Management Group to ensure that it is not carnapped.

Pahinado asked the court to issue a writ of replevin against the CIDG and have the vehicle turned over to him. He likewise asked the court to direct the CIDG to reimburse him of the expenses he incurred in filing the case to recover his vehicle.

He reported paying P30,000 to a lawyer as an acceptance fee, P2,000 for every court appearance and pleadings and another P30,000 as cost of litigation.

Other cases of similar nature have also been filed against the CIDG. - Fred P. Languido/BRP