THE Office of the Ombudsman Visayas in Iloilo is serious in running after the Bureau of Fire Protection regional chief over his alleged misuse of government vehicle.

Atty. Soneth Daquita, graft investigator in the Iloilo Field Office, said she already dispatched a team of investigators to the BFP regional office to gather evidence and testimonies of witness.

The investigation came after a local television patrol crew documented the use by the fire bureau of its KIA Pregio Van last Friday evening in a nightspot along Diversion road.

The van was spotted parked along Smallville at around 10 p.m.

Reporters followed the van until it reached its destination, the Aduana Street where the BFP office is located.

During a confrontation with the driver, the media was able to identify the driver as FO2 Rufino Taniedo, a personnel assigned at the BFP regional office.

It was also found that the vehicle left the BFP premises without a trip ticket.

It was also reported that the vehicle was issued to Sr. Supt. Jacinto Dequiatco, the regional director of BFP in Western Visayas.

Dequiatco said that he would comment on the matter in the proper forum.

Daquita added that after they finished with the investigation, they will forwarded this and the video footage to Director Viginia Santiago-Palanca for review and approval.

Palanca and the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas recently launched the "Operation Red Plate," a campaign against the misuse of government vehicles by officials.

The use of government vehicle of government employees during Sundays, holidays, and outside of the route duly stated in trip tickets is prohibited.