Charges filed against policeman who kept stolen car in Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines - Charges of violation of the anti-carjacking and anti-fencing laws were filed yesterday against a police officer who allegedly kept a stolen vehicle in Malacañang.

This developed even as Senior Superintendent Pablo Francisco Balagtas, chief of the police Presidential Protection Unit at Malacañang, clarified that Police Officer 2 Milbert Bicol is not hiding. “Bicol is in restrictive custody at the Police Security Protection Group in Camp Crame,” Balagtas told The STAR.    

Barbara Ruth Fernandez, 44, identified Bicol as the person who offered to resell to her the stolen 2006 model Ford Everest wagon (ZEF-985) of her husband.

Fernandez’s car was stolen on Jan. 8 while parked at her garage in Cherry Homes Subdivision in Bacoor, Cavite. When Fernandez claimed that she does not have cash for repayment, the cop offered to swap the Ford Everest for the 1992 model Nissan Sentra parked at her garage.

When Bicol insisted to either pay or swap the stolen vehicle, Fernandez sought assistance from the Highway Patrol Group.

Follow-up operations resulted in the discovery of the stolen vehicle parked at the Presidential Protection Unit compound inside Malacañang. According to Balagtas, he does not tolerate any wrongdoing of his men. “I was not aware of his illegal activities. All I know is that Bicol is engaged in buy and sell business.”

Balagtas said he immediately disarmed Bicol upon learning that his man is being implicated in carjacking activities.

Administrative charges will also be filed against Bicol as soon as investigators secure Fernandez’s affidavit of complaint, according to Balagtas.