The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched a crackdown on policemen using cars and motorcycles confiscated from police operations amid reports that some cops are using them as their own.
Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge, also clarified that even the use of any accessory and parts of confiscated vehicles and motorcycles is also prohibited.
“I really wanted to trace all these vehicles because we want to strictly implement the Standard Operating Procedure No. 7 that prohibits the use of recovered evidence motor vehicles and motorcycles,” said Gamboa.
More than 200 vehicles and motorcycles are currently in the initial list of inventory conducted by the PNP through the help of chiefs of police and unit commanders.
The commanders were earlier instructed to execute an affidavit or undertaking that they affirm that nobody is using recovered vehicles from police operations.
The affidavits were asked to be submitted to the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) in order to check the veracity of the claims of the police commanders.
“If IMEG finds out that the recovered vehicles are being used, those who made that undertaking are also equally responsible on this,” said Gamboa.
Under Standard Operating ProcedureNo. 7, no PNP personnel shall use a recovered stolen or impounded motor vehicle or cause the use thereof by any person prior to the lifting of the “alarm” issued thereon and the subsequent release of said motor vehicle to its lawful owner.
The removal of any part or accessory of the recovered-stolen/impounded motor vehicle is also punishable under this measure.
But this SOP has been ignored in the past as some erring cops would either use the vehicles or motorcycles, or cannibalized the parts of the cars and motorcycles for their motor vehicles.
“Administrative charge will be filed against any personnel proven guilty of illegal use of those vehicles, while his or her immediate superior will be also included in the investigation under the doctrine of ‘Command Responsibility’,” said Gamboa.
The official also reminded policemen of his instruction for all PNP personnel are not allowed to use private vehicles without plate number or conduction sticker number. (AAron Recuenco)