AUTHORITIES arrested two alleged leaders of “rent-sangla” and “pasalo” modus, Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director Chief Superintendent Roberto Fajardo said Tuesday, August 7.
Fajardo said the two suspects, Joven Aycardo and Ryan del Rosario, are not connected to each other although they have similar modus operandi.
Aycardo, 37, a resident of Pulilan, Bulacan, was arrested on August 5 in Sampaloc, Manila while Del Rosario 36, a native of Pampanga, was arrested on August 6 in Mexico in the said province.
Both have standing arrest warrants for estafa issued by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court and Pasig City Regional Trial Court, respectively.
Fajardo said Aycardo's “rent-sangla” modus involves renting vehicles with the promise of monthly payment to the owners.
“The group will be renting a vehicle and pay amount to establish confidence on the part of the owner then vehicle shall be brought to the casino in which it will be sold or pawn or disposed,” said Fajardo. The owners end up losing their vehicles.
Among Aycardo’s victims were Edgardo Ricahuerta, 52 who rented out his Toyota Hi-lux, and Michael Ramoso, who lost a Toyota Vios.
They said Aycardo promised to pay them rental fees.
However, they said they could no longer contact Aycardo after several months. This prompted them to seek the assistance of the police.
Ramoso said Aycardo tod him that he pawned his car for P80,000.
Meanwhile, Del Rosario buys a vehicle by assuming the owner's bank loan balance.
Radan Pascual, one of his victims, said Del Rosario bought his Mitsubishi Adventure for P130,000 and promised to pay his balance of around P19,000 monthly.
However, the checks issued by Del Rosario supposedly for the first three months bounced and he could no longer contact Del Rosario.
Pascual said the bank is going after him and he is now paying monthly dues to avoid any additional charges from the bank.
The suspects failed to bring back the vehicles of their victims.
Fajardo said there is a possibility that their vehicles were already sold piece by piece.
“Ang ano jan malamang niyan na chop-chop na ang kotse nila at naibenta na. Pero nakaalerto naman ang mga sasakyan ng complainant,” he said.
Fajardo urged other possible victims of the suspects to come out and file charges against them.
“Kung kilala ninyo ito or victim kayo (please) come out... and file formal complaint against this syndicated group,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)