MikeLigalig.com

By Ric V. Obedencio

The Bohol Tri-Media Association (BTMA) would not take the apprehension of alleged carnapped motorized vehicles without court order or without due process sitting down.

In an unprecedented move, BTMA, in its board of directors monthly meeting last week, unanimously approved Resolution No. 01-2007, strongly denouncing the indiscriminate seizure and dubious confiscation of alleged smuggled and/or carnapped vehicles without due process to the detriment of the owners concerned.

BTMA sharply reacted to the now-you-see-now-you-don’t campaign against “hot cars” the past two weeks launched by the Provincial Traffic Management Group. The apprehension netted some eight  vehicles owned by the unwilling victims of the “hot cars” racket.

The association composed of broadcast, print and TV outfits deplored such act being employed without bases and without due process afforded to the owners concerned considering the absence of any court order.

“A glaring example is that of Mr. Isidro Manalo, a resident of this city and professor of Holy Name University and that of Mr. Dominador Jadulco of Antequera, Bohol, who were stripped of their cars by TMG agents without any legal document for such seizure which is violative of their constitutional rights,” the Resolution said.

It also described the confiscation as highly irregular and contrary to the principle avowed by these agencies for complete transparency and accountability in matter of public interest.

Manalo told the hearing conducted by public utilities committee of the Sangguiang Panlalawigan and accused TMG of arrogance in apprehending his vehicle. TMG is composed of Insp. Doroteo Tolentino, P03 Jason Calamba, PO2 Edwin Santos and P02 Eddie Maruhom.

He said that Santos, who was with TMG when his car was accosted, denigrated Boholanos as “robbers and carnappers.”

The apprehending officers refused to present pertinent papers for apprehending his car, quoting TMG as saying “we don’t need a seizure order for sure this is a stolen car.”

Later on his request for basis of the apprehension was granted. But the apprehending officer refused to have their papers xeroxed either so that Manalao and company could have a copy of the papers.
Mara clarified that after apprehension, the owner is issued an impounding receipt or TIR (technical inspection receipt).


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