PNP-HPG to investigate officer allegedly operating 'colorum' taxi

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Thursday said it will investigate an officer who allegedly owns a 'colorum' taxi unit.

In a press conference in Pasay City, PNP-HPG director Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal said he will initiate an investigation into the allegation that Major Mel Arcita is operating a colorum taxi which was apprehended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on September 3.

"So, ngayon po, I will initiate an investigation after receiving this incident report para malaman talaga 'yung katotohanan sa pangyayari, because he's actually denying the incident," Escobal said.

"According to him, ni-ne-name-drop lang siya," he added.

In an incident report, the LTFRB said a team conducting an anti-colorum operation with the airport police at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) encountered a taxi with plate number ABL 7101, supposedly suspected as colorum or a public utility vehicle without a franchise or proper documents.

"The taxi attempted to evade twice when our inspector plugged down the vehicle for verification of documents. A short chase took place before the taxi was apprehended. They immediately verified the taxi's plate number [through] their laptop and found out that the unit has no franchise record," the LTFRB report said.

"When they [were] about to bring the taxi to the impounding area at the Nayong Filipino, the driver intentionally jammed the vehicle causing [it] not to start. The delay was clearly intended to give enough time for the operator to reach the location where his unit was apprehended before bringing it to the impounding area," it added.

The taxi operator introduced himself as a one Major Mel Arcita, who told the LTFRB inspectors not to impound his unit, according to the report.

"He also told that he will take care of the bosses, but our inspector-enforcers refused to agree for they know that it is against their sworn responsibility. After a while, the operator was convinced to proceed to the impounding area. However, he still expected to negotiate for his unit not to be impounded," the LTFRB said.

"Even within the impounding area Major Arcita relentlessly insisted not to impound his taxi by telling threatening statements. 'Pare muli akong nakiki-usap sayo, 'wag mo ng impound ang sasakyan ko. Tandaan mo, hindi lang ngayon tayo magkikita. Magkikita at magkikita pa rin tayo. Tandaan mo 'yan'," it added.

Sanctions against Arcita would depend on the results of the investigation, Escobal said. 

"Hindi pa tayo pwedeng magbigay ng parusa hanggang hindi naiimbestigahan because we also need to hear his side of the story," he said. — VDS, GMA News