MANILA, Philippines - A policeman on floating status sped away after being apprehended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for allegedly engaging in colorum public utility vehicle operations in Parañaque City on Wednesday morning.
Police Officer 3 Jun Julian Ancheta was caught after he tried to avoid a checkpoint at the corner of NIA and Coastal Roads in Barangay Tambo at around 7 a.m.
Surveillance footage showed that Ancheta, driving a Nissan Urvan (OV-4445), made a sudden U-turn while trying to avoid LTFRB traffic enforcers at the checkpoint.
The eight enforcers pursued and cornered Ancheta, who identified himself as a policeman when he was arrested, according to LTFRB spokesperson Aileen Lizada.
She said Ancheta was carrying a firearm and wearing Type B police uniform pants when he was apprehended.
Ancheta reportedly resisted apprehension and the impounding of his car, only leaving behind two identification cards and the vehicle’s certificate of registration as he drove away.
“We are not taking this lightly, particularly because the driver is a police officer,” Lizada said in an interview.
Traffic enforcers had the incident recorded in the blotter of the Parañaque police.
Lizada said she has talked to an official from the Department of the Interior and Local Government regarding the mandatory impounding of the vehicle.
A show cause order is expected to be issued against Ancheta and he could be fined around P200,000 by the LTFRB over the incident.
Reports said that Ancheta is currently detailed at the National Capital Region Police Office’s personnel holding and accounting unit.