CONTEMPT of court charges have been filed against the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) chief and his subordinate for refusing to release a vehicle that is subject of a Regional Trial Court’s writ of seizure.

The accused are Superintendent Gregorio Pimentel, HPG-Davao Region chief, and SPO2 Arnold Sagabaen based on the complaint of one Racid M. Sayre.

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Sayre, in his complaint, said that on October 28, a writ of seizure was issued by Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 ordering the accused to release or surrender from their custody a Nissan Frontier pick-up with motor number YD25-214886A, chassis number FBDY22-744010.

He said despite the receipt of the writ, the plaintiffs refused to surrender it and release it to the court.

Sayre said the accused also constituted an unlawful interference with the process of the court and improper conduct both tending, directly or indirectly, to impede, obstruct, or disgrace the administration of justice.

The continued possession by the defendants of the subject vehicle despite the receipt of the writ signified a willful disregard or disobedience of the court's orders, thus the filing of the case.

This is the second vehicle being contested in HPG's custody, it seems, as the HPG has come out with documents showing that a Toyota Hilux taken from their custody was indeed a stolen vehicle and should remain in their custody. (Rhodamae M. Hernandez)