NCRPO nabs ex-cop, 2 others for allegedly selling stolen motorcycles
MANILA, Philippines — A dismissed police officer and two other individuals were arrested for allegedly selling stolen motorcycles, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said on Friday.
In a statement, NCRPO said that the officer-on-duty of the Manila Police District’s Station Tactical Operation Center received a call on Thursday night about a group of individuals armed with firearms who were reportedly selling stolen motorcycles
According to the complainant, he was also a victim of the said scheme, having bought a motorcycle from the suspects last May 7. After this, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez acted on the complaint and hatched an operation in Sampaloc, Manila.
During the operation on early Friday morning, three suspects were arrested, namely Mark Joseph Amatorio Patayan, 33; Jhon Ace Ortiz, 29; Jorje Timothy Casale, 31.
Patayan was eventually found to be a former police corporal who was dismissed from service.
“The NCRPO will not tolerate and will not turn a blind eye on the wrongdoings committed by this dismissed personnel and his cohorts,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“No one is above the law regardless of their position or affiliation, I assure you that swift and appropriate action will be taken against these suspects,” he added.
According to the officers who conducted the operations, a Rock Island 9mm handgun loaded with fourteen rounds, three Honda ADV 160 motorcycles with remote keys, money worth approximately P117,000, three sling bags containing various IDs and cell phones, and a black wallet were found.
READ: Cop nabbed for stealing motorcycle in Makati City
NCRPO said the arrested suspects were taken to the police station for proper investigation and for filing of formal complaints. Patayan will then be charged for estafa, usurpation of authority or official functions, falsifying documents, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Ortiz and Casale will be charged with estafa. The NCRPO said investigators are now verifying the ownership of the recovered motorcycles.
