CIDG arrests car towing crew

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested four members of an illegal towing service company victimizing motorists in Makati City.

CIDG chief Director Jesus Verzosa identified the four suspects as Ariel Morada, 42, of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas; Felix Elipanio, 53, of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Alwin Santos, 32, of Makati; and Eric Onasa, 41, of Makati, all personnel of South Metro Manila Towing Inc.

Verzosa said the four were charged with intimidation of persons before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

The CIDG chief added that the four were arrested in an entrapment operation by members of the CIDG-Anti-Organized Crime and Businessmen’s Concern Division (AOCBCD) at the corner of South Superhighway and Cahoun street in Makati yesterday.

"They were caught shortly after receiving marked money from taxi driver Vicente Nazarionda, whose vehicle was towed by the suspects last June 23," said Inspector Ramon Golong of the AOCBCD.

According to Nazarionda, he stopped his taxi along Osmeña Highway in Makati City to check the engine. But before he could figure out the problem, the suspects arrived and started putting clamps on the taxi.

"Nakiusap raw yung taxi driver na huwag nang hilahin at umaandar naman yung sasakyan, but the suspects ignored the driver’s pleas and towed the vehicle to their impounding area," Golong said.

He noted that the suspects demanded from Nazarionda some P1,700 for the release of the vehicle. Since the driver did not have the money, he had to leave the vehicle at the impounding area.

Nazarionda decided to seek help from CIDG agents, who advised him to contact the suspects for an entrapment operation.

Superintendent Ireneo Inal, AOCBCD chief, said a check with the Makati government revealed that the towing service was not an accredited company.

Police also seized two marked P100 bills used in the entrapment operation, a journal notebook of the list of vehicles towed and two booklets of receipts.

"We encourage other victims of this towing service to come out and also file charges. The illegal activities of this group must be stopped," Inal said.