CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Assistant Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro is demanding the Regional Highway Patrol Unit (RHPU) to return her sports utility vehicle in three days or she will be suing the unit for carnapping.
The controversial lawyer is against the impounding of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, which was allegedly stolen from her last October and was later found unattended along East Capitol Road, a few meters from a bank on Escario Street, Cebu City.
The FREEMAN was shown of Castro’s demand letter to RHPU-7 received by RHPU-7 chief Silvestre Cenia. The letter seeks his office full responsibility for any unlawful action against the impounded vehicle.
“I will take you and your office responsible for any adulteration committed against the subject vehicle,” an excerpt from the letter received by the RHPU-7 on January 4, with a letterhead of the Department of Justice and signed by Castro.
The RHPU-7 towed the white Ford Ranger Wildtrak and subjected it to macro-etching examination. The vehicle was found out to have the same engine, chassis number, and plate number with the black Ford Ranger Castro reported missing last October 14.
The vehicle’s only difference was allegedly the new coat of white paint over the original black body.
Police Officer 2 Justin Paul Sarsaba said that after the examination, they transmitted a letter addressed to the registered owners — Castro and her husband Greco Sanchez, the son of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr.
He said the letter was delivered to the registered owners via courier service in December but was answered by a demand letter from Castro.
The SUV worth P1.62 million was bought by Castro and Greco on September 1. — Friensy G. Larawan, USJ-R Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)