Cops recover P4.5M stolen ‘empi lights’

LEGAZPI CITY --- Joint police operatives from Albay and Quezon were able to recover on Tuesday (Jan. 28) night three truckload of Emperador Brandy worth P4.5 million, which was allegedly highjacked by a contracted trucking service in the towns of Bacacay and Pio Duran.

PCapt. Dexter Panganiban said the highjacked liquors loaded in three 10-wheeler trucks were intercepted by police operatives in barangays Cuyaoyao and Caratagan in Pio Duran town at around 6:11 PM on Monday, Jan. 27.

The three trucks loaded with 1,500 boxes of Emperador Double Lights brandy each or a total of 4,500 boxes were intended for delivery in the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes and Masbate via the ports of Bacacay and Pio Duran.

Panganiban said the Albay police responded to a report from Quezon that Bolivar Trucking represented by Robert Chu, 51, reported that three truck load of Emperador Brandy were allegedly highjacked by a tracking service that they have contracted.

Chu told the police that he contracted one Jon-Jon Dela Torre of Tabaco City to deliver the cargo that took off from Sta Rosa City in Laguna bound for Legazpi City.

Police recovered one of the trucks in Bacacay town, while the two other trucks were found in Pio Duran town, said Panganiban.

Police arrested Nelson Chavez, 44, the driver of one of the trucks and Dante Canaveral, 35, both of barangay Cuyaoyao, Pio Duran.