Oplan Red Plate nets 236 cars in Visayas

Cebu - The campaign by the Ombudsman against the improper use of government vehicles has so far netted close to 300 red plate vehicles since the multi-agency Oplan Red Plate Task Force was launched last year.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said that so far, a total of 263 red plate vehicles were caught by the task force in the Visayas. He said the highest number was reported in Western Visayas with 205, followed by Central Visayas with 56 and Eastern Visayas with only two.

Apostol explained that the highest number was recorded in Region 6 because of the active citizenry who would immediately report irregularities to the anti-graft office. He explained that their regional office in Iloilo also focused on the campaign.

In Central Visayas, he said the 56 cases that they docketed are currently the subject of their investigations.

According to Apostol, 32 of the 56 cases in Central Visayas were already recorded even before the task force was launched last year.

He explained that those they are investigating were required to explain why the vehicles issued to them were seen running either on weekends or holidays.

According to Apostol, a trip ticket is very important to exculpate them of any liability for using the government vehicle for personal purpose. The anti-graft office refused to reveal the names of the people they are investigating but some names had already appeared in newspaper reports.

Those being investigated reportedly included Cebu Provincial Board Member Wilfredo Caminero and former Bureau of Immigration alien control officer Reynaldo Almaden, whose vehicles were caught by the task force at the parking area of a mall on a weekend.

The two both claimed that they were on official business and were just having lunch at the mall when their vehicles were spotted by the task force. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)