Two members of an alleged syndicate involved in a “rent-sangla” scam were separately arrested by police on Sunday and Monday.
First to be arrested in Sampaloc, Manila, was the alleged syndicate leader, Joven Aycardo Mañalac, 37.
Another suspect, Ryan del Rosario Figueroa, 36, was later arrested in Pampanga City, police said on Tuesday.
Using the “rent-sangla” modus operandi, police said the suspects would rent vehicles for an agreed number of days from unsuspecting owners. Once rented, the suspects would then sell or pawn the vehicles.
Police said Mañalac, who operates in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) reportedly rented six vehicles from five victims.
Figueroa, meanwhile, allegedly operates within Central Luzon, police said.
The arrested suspects are now facing estafa charges under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code. Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group director Police Supt. Roberto Fajardo meanwhile urged other victims to file their complaints against the suspects and modify the penalty from estafa to syndicated estafa, which is non-bailable. /muf