5 Apec vehicles returned

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
SINCE the call for the return of 102 missing Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation) vehicles last week, five have been surrendered to the recovery and enforcement team.
National Capital District (NCD) superintendent administration Chris Tamari, who heads the team, confirmed to The National that the five vehicles had been returned voluntarily.
“Four of the vehicles were from two different ministries with one vehicle coming from a police unit,” he said.
Tamari acknowledged Immigration Minister Westley Nukundj for taking the lead in helping return three vehicles and thanked the Prime Minister’s Department and National Executive Council’s first legislative officer Johnny Bogombari for helping return a vehicle as well.
He called on other state ministers, leaders and individuals in possession of vehicles to return them as they were state properties.
Tamari said that he expected more vehicles to be returned, but if not the taskforce would retrieve them from homes and departments.
“We have a list of all the vehicles, and for police, my message to police officers holding on to Apec vehicles is to return them.
“They are state properties and not yours.” Tamari said anyone holding on to Apec vehicles would be deemed to using them illegally and misappropriating state property and would be liable for criminal charges.
“We are giving ample time to those holding onto the vehicles to return them.” Tamari thanked the individuals who returned the vehicles over the weekend.
Police Commissioner David Manning, who is aware of the five vehicles that were returned, said that the taskforce would ensure all vehicles were returned.
“We are aware that several of the vehicles have been taken out of the province, and we know who has the vehicles. We are closing in on each and every one of you,”Manning said.