MANILA, Philippines — At least ten motor vehicles stolen using the Rent-Tangay scheme were recovered by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas.
PBGen. Rommel Sta. Ana Batangan, Acting HPG director operations were conducted from May 7 to 8 where three of the vehicles were recovered in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, nine in San Pascual, Batangas while one voluntarily surrendered also on May 7.
The sole suspect is a 34-year-old woman who is a resident of San Pascual, Batangas. She allegedly rents out the vehicles using fraudulent representations on long term arrangements and eventually sells or transfers the units without the rightful owners’ consent.
“Kinukuha niya po 'yung trust and confidence nitong mga actually ka-barangay niya sa lugar niya. So ipinapasok po nila from rental and then sasapuhin niya. At ito naman po 'yung kanyang ibibenta, 'yung mga units,” he said.
(She was gaining the trust and confidence of her neighbors in her barangay. So they would bring their vehicles for rental and then she would manage them. And then she would sell these units.)
The scheme was, the vehicles were offered to companies by the suspect who acted as a third party agent. The vehicles were later sold, used as collateral or not returned to their owners despite repeated demands.
The HPG returned the vehicles to their owners on Monday.
One of the victims, a rent-a-car business owner, said the suspect was a frequent renter who started transacting with him in 2024. She initially had a good standing and was able to pay dues and return the units on time until he sensed something was wrong.
The victim said some of the vehicles were eventually sold without the owners’ consent, including his SUV allegedly sold for P350,000 and his pickup allegedly sold for P800,000.
The suspect is now facing charges for violations of the Anti-Carnapping Law and estafa under the Revised Penal Code.
