Cebu Daily News / News

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‘Vehicles there but with parts missing’ By Ador Mayol Cebu Daily News Posted date: November 13, 2008 Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Faith Econg of branch 22 yesterday cleared the confusion over the status of the 18 seized vehicles under the custody of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group in Central Visayas (PASG-7). Econg said that all vehicles were intact when she conducted the ocular inspection at the PASG-7 office at the Cebu International Port area. Econg, however, noticed that most vehicles had missing parts like tires, engines and stereos. Some even had no plate numbers, she added. Other vehicles were also made into “trash bins.” Econg said she would submit a report on Friday. PASG-7's acting chief Ricardo Collantes, in a phone interview, said he felt vindicated that all vehicles were accounted for. “Nalipay ko nga nigawas gyud and tinuod, aron and reputasyon sa akong pamilya dili madaot sa publico. (I'm happy that the truth had come out and the reputation of my family was not destroyed before the public),” he said. Collantes was referring to the results of the first ocular inspection conducted by lawyer Chevin Vazquez, Econg's clerk of court, last week. In her report, Vazquez said only nine vehicles had exact chassis number. Vazquez also noted that two out of the 18 cars were missing while five vehicles could not be opened and two others did not have the exact chassis number. She also noted that some parts of the vehicles like the stereo, engine, wheels and windshield were missing. Collantes said that had the agency been informed of the court inspection, PASG-7 members would have helped the inspectors in the inventory of the seized vehicles. He said the vehicles declared missing by the inspectors were just in the area. These were placed with other vehicles seized from other operations, he added. On the garbage placed inside the vehicles, Collantes said the agency had no control of the people passing and littering the area because the place is owned by the Cebu Ports Authority. Meanwhile, Judge Econg said she would also hear on Friday PASG's motion to transfer custody of the seized vehicles from the PASG to the Bureau of Customs and the motion to quash search warrant filed by Michael Nengasca, who is the owner of the seized vehicles. Collantes filed the motion last Oct. 27 while Nengasca filed his motion to quash the search warrant and restore to him the possession of the seized vehicles last Monday. The 18 vehicles were seized from Nengasca of Song Pa Motors Trading in April this year. Nengasca allegedy stored and kept in his possession and control illegally imported vehicles inside a warehouse at Sacris Extension, Mandaue City.