Abalos ‘niece’ arrested over colorum van

MANILA, Philippines — A woman who claimed to be Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.’s niece was caught operating a colorum or unauthorized passenger van yesterday.

A certain “Jaz Abalos” reportedly went to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)’s headquarters in Pasig City to “negotiate” the retrieval of the van, which had been impounded.

“Jaz” went to the office of MMDA assistant general manager for operations David Angelo Vargas and “explicitly” mentioned being Abalos’ niece.

“She was recognized by one of the members of the Abalos family through her photo and name,” confirmed Vargas, who is Abalos’ son-in-law.

MMDA personnel yesterday flagged down colorum vehicles in Cubao when they spotted the van with license plate DAY 1423.

Its driver, Antonio Mirasol, charged passengers P200 to bring them to Laguna.

Mirasol was arrested after presenting an expired vehicle registration and a fake driver’s license. Jaz was put under arrest later in the day.

Mirasol and Jaz would be charged with falsification of public documents with conspiracy, estafa, resistance and disobedience and light threat, according to the MMDA.