Ombudsman dismisses Ilocos cop caught using stolen car

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from the service of a police officer from Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte who was caught in possession of a stolen vehicle five years ago.

In a three-page decision, the anti-graft agency said PO1 Ruel Tamargo of the Bangui police station in Pagudpud town should be fired.

Tamargo was also slapped with the appropriate accessory penalties of forfeiture of benefits and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Records of the case show that in August 2006, the Ilocos Norte police got information that a stolen vehicle was spotted in Pagudpud and a team was dispatched to verify the report.

Investigation revealed that the stolen car was seen parked in Barangay Poblacion 2, Sitio Regta in Pagudpud, and Tamargo was using it.

In his defense, Tamargo claimed that one of his relatives left the vehicle in his custody as a guarantee for a monetary obligation.

The Ombudsman, however, ruled that Tamargo’s act constitutes gross misconduct punishable with dismissal from the service.

Aside from the administrative sanction, the Ombudsman also ordered the filing of a case for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law (Presidential Decree 1612) against Tamargo.

Under the law, “mere possession of any good, article, item, object, or anything of value which has been the subject of robbery or thievery shall be prima facie evidence of fencing.”