GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—The chief of the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group in Central Mindanao has been relieved over allegations he and his men used stolen vehicles in their anti-carjacking operations in the region.
The Inquirer obtained a copy of Monday’s order from the HPG head office relieving Senior Superintendent Jaime Macarilay and ordering him to report to Manila. The order, signed by Fortunato Guerrero, HPG chief of personnel, named Senior Superintendent Romeo Campomanes as the new HPG Central Mindanao regional head.
Macarilay confirmed the relief order but declined to comment further on the allegations against him. He had earlier denied any wrongdoing.
His relief came a few days after a local resident haled Macarilay to the Office of the Ombudsman on charges of violating the anti-fencing law on February 17.
Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez welcomed Marilay’s relief, saying he had seen HPG operatives using private vehicles in putting up a checkpoint in the town of Malungon.
“This will serve as a lesson to other high-ranking government officials that they should exude high standards of moral conduct while doing their duty,” Dominguez said.
A number of local businessmen also welcomed his removal. Some of them had accused the officer of bullying them.
“I am glad that the police hierarchy has relieved him as HPG-12 chief,” businessman Mohamad Aquia said.
Joey Salangsang, another businessman, recounted an incident when Macarilay arrived with HPG operatives at his home on February 8 in the guise of counter-checking the papers of his Hyundai Starex van.
“When I arrived home that morning, one HPG operative immediately handed over to me a search warrant issued by the local court. The specific address of my residence was not stated in the search warrant, and they were not accompanied by any barangay official, ” Salangsang said.
When the barangay official, whose presence is required during such searches, arrived, the search was already over, Salangsang said, adding he was taken to the local HPG headquarters for investigation.
Despite showing documents, including a clearance from the HPG headquarters, Salangsang said, Macarilay refused to release the Starex.
“They refused to honor the documents from the Land Transportation office, PNP Crime Laboratory and even from the HPG,” he said.
The Inquirer learned that other vehicles seized by Macarilay and his men on grounds of being stolen cars included those owned by Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian-Solon and local businessmen Emylou Lu, Ben Tiu and Jun Yee.