DOJ files carnapping raps vs. Cebuano couple

CEBU, Philippines –  The Department of Justice has filed a case before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City against a Cebuano businessman and his wife for allegedly having in possession an unregistered vehicle.

Investigating prosecutor Benito Olivar Sales held Jovel Entote, his wife Mary Anne, and unidentified persons for trial for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 6539, otherwise known as the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

Sales recommended P60,000 bail for each of the accused.

The case stemmed from an incident last August 9, 2012 when members of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit (RHPU)-7 of the Highway Patrol Group reportedly saw a black Toyota Prado Land Cruiser at the couple’s residence in St. Michael Village, Banilad, Cebu City with no registration papers.

Prior to this, RHPU-7 operatives, in coordination with Police Regional Office-7 and with the assistance of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), implemented a search warrant issued by RTC Judge Alexander Acosta against the Entotes.

The operatives were able to seize a red BMW car at the couple’s residence and in the course of the operation, saw in plain view the Toyota Prado and two other vehicles.

They asked for the documents but Mary Anne allegedly failed to present any.

Hence, the police applied for a second search warrant on August 13, 2012 which resulted in the confiscation of the Toyota Prado and the two other vehicles. The Toyota Prado was subjected to macro-etching.

RHPU-7 reportedly found out that the car’s engine number (IGR-5673859) and chassis number (JTEBU25J485148821) were not tampered. However, verification with the Land Transportation Office showed that the car’s plate number (ANI 700) was not in the LTO-IT System Database.

“It was later discovered that the specific plate ANI 700 was allocated to LTO Region 12, Cotabato City, as per plate allocation,” the complaint read, adding in a certification issued by the LTO Region 12.

The RHPU-7 further said it checked the vehicle’s engine and chassis numbers with the LTO and found out that the agency had no record of such numbers.

A subpoena was sent to the couple, who, through their counsel, late lawyer Noel Archival, initially asked to refer the case to Cebu City.

Sales said their office received a Notice of Death of Archival, who was ambushed in Dalaguete, Cebu February last year.

The Entotes were given an extension to file their counter-affidavit, but they did not submit any. Thus, Sales recommended the filing of the case before the court, which was approved by prosecutor general Claro Arellano. —/NSA (FREEMAN)