15 cops face raps over stolen PSPG car

MANILA, Philippines - At least 15 policemen are facing administrative charges for a staff car allegedly stolen in front of the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Superintendent Edwin Butacan, spokesman of the Highway Patrol Group investigating the disappearance of the white Toyota Innova (NOS-135), did not name the 15 members of the PSPG-Protection and Escort Unit. The PEU is under Senior Superintendent Glenn de la Torre.

“It’s up to the PSPG to announce the result of their fact-finding investigation. The HPG was just part of the investigation,” Butacan said.

Butacan said based on the records, a certain “Police Officer 3 Balau” called last June 20 to report that their staff car was stolen in front of the PSPG office the previous day. He said records show that the PSPG personnel made no effort to follow up the incident.

Butacan said the disappearance of the vehicle was almost forgotten until Quezon City police officers recovered the “missing” vehicle from a group of suspected carjackers last Aug. 4, or 46 days later.

Investigators said they believe the vehicle was stolen outside Camp Crame but some people would like to make it appear the incident took place in the camp to avoid further explanation.

Police said there was an apparent effort to cover up the incident but those responsible did not think of the impact of reporting that a vehicle was stolen in the Philippine National Police’s national headquarters.