CEBU, Philippines - A man was arrested after he tried to steal the motorcycle of a habal-habal driver just a few meters away from the Cebu City Police Office.
Mariano Montesclaros, 37, of Barangay Camp 6, Talisay City, Cebu, was detained at the CCPO detention cell after he tried to steal the motorcycle of Delmar Ramirez, 23, of Sitio Kalubihan, Barangay Guadalupe Thursday afternoon.
According to Ramirez, at around 5:30 p.m., Montesclaros hired him and told him to drive to barangays Labangon, Sambag 1 and Lorega in exchange for P500. Montesclaros reportedly told Ramirez that he needs to collect money from different people in the said barangays.
Ramirez said, at first, he did not think his passenger had any bad intention since he did see Montesclaros take money from the people in the different barangays.
However, when they reached their last destination which was Barangay Lorega, Ramirez said Montesclaros allegedly asked if he could drive the motorcycle. However, Ramirez said he did not agree to it.
Ramirez said Montesclaros then asked to take him to different areas in the barangay and whenever there were too many people, Montesclaros would tell him again to drive to another place.
Ramirez said this time, he already had a feeling that Montesclaros had bad intention but Montesclaros allegedly told him not to worry since he has money and he can pay him. He said the suspect even entertained him through conversations and by giving him food.
Hours later, Ramirez said he told Montesclaros he needed to go home since his live-in partner was already looking for him.
Montesclaros told Ramirez to let him drive the motorcycle to CCPO since he allegedly has a number of policemen friends from the headquarters.
“Ako na lang pud gipa-drive siya kay daghan baya police diha unya daghan lagi kuno siya kaila didto,” said Ramirez.
When they reached the area, Montesclaros allegedly handed over a white plastic to Ramirez. Thinking that it was the money, he accepted the plastic only to find out that it was shabu.
Ramirez said he immediately threw the drugs away. Since there was a SWAT member in the area, Ramirez said Montesclaros instructed him to ride the motorcycle and they proceeded to a deserted area inside the CCPO.
Ramirez said he then excused himself to urinate and made sure he brought the motorcycle key with him. However, Montesclaros forcibly took the key from him and told him to just go on and urinate.
“Nibiya na lang pud ko sa motor. Nangihi na lang pud ko tungod pud sa akong kahadlok ug kakulba,” said Ramirez.
After urinating, Ramirez saw Montesclaros already heading out from the CCPO on board his motorcycle.
Ramirez said he immediately called for police assistance and Police Officer 2 Winceslao Dino of the Cebu City Public Safety Company, who was detailed at the entrance, responded to the alarm.
Dino and Ramirez were able to catch up with Montesclaros, who was not able to drive off because of the red traffic light. Another big pack of suspected shabu was seized from Montesclaros.
Senior Police Officer 4 Rene Cerna, Chief Investigator of the CCPSC, said another victim of the same modus operandi came to their office and positively identified Montesclaros as the one who stole his motorcycle.
Cerna reminded owners of motorcycles to always be vigilant and careful in choosing a place to park their motorcycle.
Montesclaros will be facing charges for carnapping and illegal possession of drugs. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/ATO (FREEMAN)