Cop nabbed for extorting cash from ‘rent-sangla’ victim

SAN PEDRO CITY – A police officer was arrested for allegedly extorting cash from a victim of a car rental scam in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (Calabarzon).

Supt. Joel Estaris of the police Counter Intelligence Task Force (CITF) on Thursday said Senior Police Officer 2 Lian Manalo, who was assigned at the regional police Highway Patrol Group, was arrested in an entrapment operation around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday inside the regional police camp in Calamba City, Laguna.

This was after Manalo received P2,000 cash in exchange for the release of a vehicle involved in the “rent-sangla,” a multi-million peso-scheme that involved brand new cars.

The police last year busted the syndicate and recovered hundreds of vehicles that owners lent supposedly for a car rental business. Scam victims were, however, surprised when they learned that the vehicles were instead pawned to other people.

The HPG has since been releasing the recovered cars back to the owners, after verifying the car documents and proof of ownership.

Estaris said Manalo extorted money from the victim, who sought help from the CITF.