SUV linked to kidnapping found parked at PNP officers' row

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is conducting an investigation after an SUV linked to a kidnapping was found parked at the Married Officers’ Quarters (MOQ-14) Officers’ Row in Camp Crame.

Headquarters Support Service (HSS) director Police Brigadier General Job Russel Balaquit said a couple sought help after their SUV was located inside the camp after a renter failed to return the vehicle.

“Yung sasakyan nilang ito ay may installed an GPS tracker...They presented to us muna documents na sila ang may-ari,” Balaquit said at a press briefing.

(Their vehicle has a GPS tracker installed...They first presented to us documents that they are the owner.)

According to the couple, a Chinese national rented the SUV on June 25 for a month only.

The Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) informed the HSS that the vehicle was evidence in the alleged kidnapping of a Chinese businessman on July 1. The renter was among those arrested over the kidnapping.

Due to limited space at the AKG parking area, the SUV was moved to the premises of the MOQ.

“Pinark sa AKG parking area from July 14 na na-recover. Dahil puno na po ang parking space ng AKG because of limited space, kailangan pong ilipat temporarily po,” AKG public information office chief Police Major Eleonor Villaruz said.

(It was parked in the AKG parking area from July 14 after it was recovered. Since the AKG parking space was full because of limited space, it needs to be moved temporarily.)

“It is not a designated parking area. So nag-conduct po ng communication between AKG and HSS. So in short, August 16, binalik po namin si [SUV] sa AKG po mismo,” she added.

(It is not a designated parking area. So we conducted communication between AKG and HSS. So in short, on August 16, we returned the SUV to AKG parking area.)

The AKG official denied speculations that evidence vehicles were being used for personal use by police officers.

“So yung allegations na ginagamit for personal use, no, it was not. Hindi kailanman mangyayari,” she added.

(So the allegations that it was used for personal use, no, it was not. It will never happen.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News