40 PNP men to take lie detector tests for probe on stolen car

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will subject 40 of its men to lie detector tests to determine the circumstances surrounding the mysterious theft of a service vehicle at Camp Crame in Quezon City in June.

Senior Superintendent Ramon Apolinario, deputy chief of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG), said the polygraph exams should help investigators determine how the Toyota Innova (plate number NOS-135) under the PSPG’s care was stolen from the compound between June 19 and 20.

The PNP’s criminal laboratory will process the results of the tests, which are known to be unreliable and ordinarily not accepted as evidence in criminal trials.

Assigned to the PSPG’s Senior Supt. Glen de la Torre, the vehicle surfaced again on August 1 in the possession of four suspected car thieves who had been arrested at a checkpoint in Quezon City for the theft of another vehicle.

Authorities discovered later that the vehicle used by the suspects was registered to the PSPG and had been reported stolen from Camp Crame.

De la Torre had told investigators he parked the vehicle in front of the PSPG building but that it was missing the following day.

Apolinario, however, said he was not convinced the vehicle had been stolen inside the camp.

“We are more inclined to believe that the vehicle could have been lost outside,” Apolinario told reporters.

The official said at least 11 PNP personnel, including De la Torre, could face charges if results of the investigation show that they were negligent.