Stolen vehicle used to transport Ozamiz gang leaders

MANILA, Philippines -  Police used a stolen vehicle in transporting Ozamiz robbery gang leaders Ricky Cadavero and Wilfredo Panogalinga when they were killed in San Pedro, Laguna last July 15.

The STAR learned that information on the stolen vehicle was among the salient points in the report of the National Internal Affairs Service Camp Crame-Task Force San Pedro to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima.

The Vehicle Information Management System of the PNP Crime Laboratory learned that the Toyota Hi-Ace Van was stolen in Mandaluyong.

The other vehicle used was a blue Mitsubishi Pajero.

Sources said the Calabarzon RSOG, particularly its commander, Superintendent Danilo Mendoza was ordered to explain why they used a stolen vehicle in transporting the two Ozamiz robbery gang leaders.

Under the PNP’s Special Operation Procedure (SOP), no police personnel shall use a recovered stolen/impounded motor vehicle or cause the use thereof by any person prior to the lifting of the alarm.

Task Force San Pedro also identified the policemen in the Toyota Hi-Ace Van at the time as Senior Police Officer 1 Jayson Semacas, driver; Senior Police Officer 1 Joseph Ortega on front seat; Police Officer 3 Gerardo Tugot, between the front and back seat facing Inspector Efren Oco.

Police Officer 3 Marvin Mejia was on the improvised back seat facing Inspector Manuel Magat, and Police Officer 3 Eduardo Cruz was on the right back seat with Panogalinga on the rear middle seat and Cadavero on the rear seat, the task force added.

Magat and Oco are facing murder charges for the death of Cadavero and Panogalinga after one  policeman testified against them.

The policeman-witness said while on their way back to RSOG headquarters after the inquest of the gang leaders, he was awakened when he heard the sound of successive gunshots.

“The vehicle stopped and the sliding door opened, the policemen jumped one after the other,” the witness said in his extrajudicial confession.

“Oco ordered policemen from the other vehicle to bring the two wounded gang leaders to the hospital.” 

The witness said Magat ordered the shooting of the windshield and the tires of the vehicle, apparently to support the allegation that two men riding on a motorcycle ambushed them to try and rescue the gang leaders. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Non Alquitran