55 more misused gov't cars in CV apprehended

CEBU, Philippines - The Oplan Red Plate task force has caught 55 more government vehicles suspected of being improperly used during its latest operation in Central Visayas over the weekend.

Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol said that most of the vehicles were apprehended in Oriental Negros. Based on the record, 44 vehicles were caught in Oriental Negros while 11 here in Cebu.

The most number of apprehensions was in Dumaguete City with 13 red plate vehicles, seven in Dauin, five in San Jose; Bacong, 4; Sibulan, 2; Zamboanguita, 2; Bais City, 2; Amlan, 2; and Bacong-Dauin Highway, 1.

In Cebu, three vehicles were caught in Sibonga; San Fernando, 2; Tabunok in Talisay City, 2; Argao, Naga, Minglanilla, 1 each and another one in barangay Punta Princesa here in the city.

The anti-graft office noted that the campaign has strongly gained grounds in Region-7 since it was launched late last year.

It has outscored Western Visayas that used to have the most number of apprehensions.

Records showed that a total of 110 cases for fact-finding investigation have been docketed in Region-7, including the recent apprehensions, since the campaign was launched in October last year.

The number has significantly increased from 37 prior to the launching of the Oplan Red Plate.

Region-6 used to take the lead in the campaign against the improper use of government vehicles prior to the formal launching of the campaign with a total of 206 apprehensions.

However, the number went down to 27 after the launching of the Oplan Red Plate.

Apostol said that the public awareness the program has created after its launching has helped bolster the campaign.

He also said that the campaign has so far netted 147 cases for the entire Visayas regions since October last year; four of which have already been disposed while 143 remain pending.

One of the disposed cases was that of former Immigration regional director Reynaldo Almaden. The anti-graft office upgraded its fact-finding against Almaden into formal administrative adjudication for misconduct.

Almaden was caught earlier by the members of the task force using government vehicle on a weekend. — Fred P. Languido/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)