Alvin to sue cop who seized Kusug pick-up

CEBU, Philippines - Former Mayor Alvin Garcia has threatened to file charges against the traffic policeman who intercepted the Hilux pick-up used by the campaign staff of Kugi Uswag Sugbu (Kusug) at Barangay Pahina Central shortly before midnight last Saturday.

Traffic investigator Antonio Deligero said Garcia personally went to the city’s traffic group office past 1am yesterday and allegedly demanded to know why PO3 Creto Villahermosa intercepted the vehicle.

Garcia reportedly argued that despite the supposed improvised plate, the vehicle reportedly committed no violation, as it was just parked along the road when intercepted. The plate bore the number SCN-688.

Garcia said the pick-up was just parked along Panganiban Street while Kusug’s staff was distributing campaign materials when Villahermosa arrived and intercepted the vehicle.

Aside from his plan of suing Villahermosa, Deligero said Garcia also wanted to know the person who called up the police station to report the presence of the vehicle.

Garcia suspected it was Pahina Central barangay captain Sesinio “Bebs” Andales who asked Citom enforcers to apprehend the vehicle. Andales is one of the candidates for councilors of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), the rival group of Garcia’s Kugi Uswag Sugbu (Kusug).

Information surfaced that Garcia had kept the government vehicle after his term as mayor ended in 2001, but it was found out that the vehicle was purchased by Garcia’s friend, Engr. Josefino Martel, from the Cebu provincial government.

Garcia also said he has documents to prove that his friend participated in the bidding for the vehicle and subsequently paid P120,000 to the Capitol. He said registration of the Hilux is yet to be transferred to the name of the buyer.

The procedure is that vehicle owners are required to secure a permit from the Land Transportation Office if they will use improvised license plates. – THE FREEMAN