PASG-7 cannot account for all cars seized in raid

CEBU – Regional Trial Court judge Geraldine Faith Econg yesterday ordered another ocular inspection of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group office at the Cebu International Port after PASG-7 could no longer account for all the vehicles it seized during a controversial operation last September.

As of yesterday, at least one vehicle was missing based on Econg’s own calculation of the numbers given to her by Pedro Leslie Salva, lawyer of former PASG-7 regional director Ricardo Collantes.

And while Salva himself insisted there are still 18 vehicles, an ocular inspection led by Econg’s Clerk of Court last week revealed only 16 vehicles are at the PASG-7 office. Several of these vehicles reportedly had missing parts.

“I am more baffled than satisfied. I have more questions before you submitted the explanation. How can blue be red and how can black be silver?” Econg told Salva in open court yesterday.

In a presentation yesterday, colors of the cars and their chassis number did not also match, which finally prompted Econg to order the ocular inspection tomorrow.

Based on Salva’s inventory, there are nine vehicles at the yard in front of the PASG office, two of which have different chassis numbers. Five vehicles reportedly could not be opened while three others are in the safehouse.

But Chevin Vasquez, Econg’s clerk of court, said they only found 16 vehicles during the inspection. Some of the vehicles reportedly no longer have tires and stereos.

Still, Salva argued the vehicles had complete parts before the relief of Collantes’ predecessor, former PASG-7 regional director Ariel Palcuto, last October 22. It was Paculto who was sitting as regional director during the controversial raid last September 29 in Mandaue City.

The raid became controversial after operatives of PASG-7 almost engaged in a shootout with operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation. 

The PASG-7 seized 18 Hyundai and Kia vehicles in a warehouse registered under a certain Michael Nengasca of Song Pa Motors Trading in Sacres Extension, Mandaue City. Government records showed the warehouse was authorized to deal with motorcycles, not cars.

After Palcuto’s relief last month, Collantes filed the motion in court requesting the turnover of the 18 seized vehicles to the Bureau of Customs. — Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (THE FREEMAN)