NCRPO seeks forfeiture of SUV with '6' plate

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) will initiate forfeiture proceedings against the owner of a luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) with a No. 6 license plate, which is issued only to Cabinet members.

NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said they are also preparing appropriate charges against Mark Chua due to his failure to pay taxes for the imported Range Rover.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Chua appeared before Rosales Monday and said he bought the Range Rover in good faith for P4 million last year, and the “6” plate was already attached to the vehicle.

According to Rosales, Chua said he owns three high-end clubs at The Fort in Taguig City and several cellphone outlets in various malls. Chua resides in East Greenhills, San Juan City.

The Range Rover was among the pieces of evidence confiscated by the NCRPO during a raid last week at the Land Transportation Office compound in Quezon City. Police arrested at least 14 people, including LTO employees Orlando Villaflor and Rosendo Aristorenas.

According to Rosales, Chua said the SUV was in the area because he was trying to register it under another name. He said he paid Villaflor and Aristorenas P200,000 to have his vehicle registered and avoid payment of taxes.

“He refused to say who sold him the vehicle,” Rosales said.

Chua claimed the MK5 machine pistol recovered inside the vehicle was registered under his name.

Though Chua bought the vehicle in good faith, Rosales said this does not absolve him of a number of violations, including depriving the government of taxes.

“We have no other recourse but to file charges against him so others would not follow the bad example he’s doing,” Rosales said in an interview.

Earlier, Senior Superintendent Napoleon Cauyan, who led the LTO raid, said the old license plate of the Range Rover was issued to a Nissan Patrol that was forcibly taken from its owner in 2006.

He said the LTO certified that the Range Rover’s No. 6 license plate was genuine but was not issued to a Cabinet member.   – Non Alquitran