Financier of “Rentangay” criminal gang that stole over 100 cars arrested

Authorities arrested the alleged financier of the “Rentangay” criminal gang that steals brand new cars for rent.

In Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report on 24 Oras on Thursday, authorities caught the suspect watching tv in his bedroom. He was issued with four warrants of arrest for charges of carnapping and estafa.

Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP HPG) – Task Force Limbas said the suspect is one the operators of the “Rentangay” criminal gang that is allegedly behind a car theft modus that has resulted in over 100 missing cars.

“Isa po siyang financier, siya po yung may contact sa lider ng grupo. Karamihan sa mga biktima, mga teacher at (Overseas Filipino Workers), na madaling maingganyo upang mag loan ng sasakyan, kumuha ng through financing,” said P/Colonel Joel Casupanan, chief of PNP HPG – Task Force Limbas.

(He is a financier. He is in contact with the leader of the group. Most of his victims are teachers and OFWs, who are easily persuaded to take a car loan through financing.)

One of the victims is 42-year-old teacher Sylvia (not her real name). Her brand new car was stolen by the gang.

“For three days lang, doon lang sa Oriental Mindoro, offer niya sakin P2,000 a day so P6,000. Nung time na yun, mag tuition ang anak ko, nangangailangan ako ng pera,” Sylvia said.

(For three days, the car would be rented around Oriental Mindoro. He offered me P,2000 per day so I would earn P6,000. During that time, I needed the money to pay my child’s tuition fees.)

However, the car was never returned.

“Dapat maging aware tayo. Hindi maganda ang sobrang pagtititiwala sa kapwa,” Sylvia said.

(We should be aware. It is not good to trust too much in others.)

According to the HPG, the suspect is connected to a police lieutenant colonel and two other women, who were arrested in previous operations.

“Kapag ang presyo ng sasakyan hindi akma sa market value, isa na yan red flag. Huwag kalimutan kumunsulta sa mga ahensiya ng gobyerno,” the police official advised.

(It’s a red flag if the price of the car is not equivalent to its market value. Do not forget to consult with government agencies.)

Meanwhile, the suspect admitted to his crimes, saying that he did them because of his gambling addiction.

“Ako po’y taga kuha ng sasakyan. Ako po yung direct na nakikipag-usap sa mga car owners tapos pinapasa ko po. Kung sino yung mas mataas ang offer, sa kanila ko ibinibigay,” the suspect said.

“Nakukunsensiya po, pero talagang may pangangailangan.Nalulong ako sa sugal, kaya naghanap ako ng madaling pagkakakitaan, kaya pinatulan ko yung commission na P50,000, every sasakyan na makuha ko, P30,000. Handa ako makipag tulungan sa mga pulis para yung mga puede pa marekober,” he added.

(I stole the cars. I’m the one directly talking with car owners, then I passed them on. I will give it to the buyer who has the highest offer. I’m guilty but I needed the money. I was in debt due to gambling so I looked for easy profit, so I accepted the P50,000 commission. For every car I get, I have P30,000. I’m willing to cooperate with the police to help recover what can be found.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News