Law enforcers forming task force on ‘Rent-Sangla’ scheme

Lawyer Randy Escolango, deputy administrator for legal affairs of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, inspects the missing vehicles allegedly involved in a car rental scam. —ALLAN MACATUNO

A joint task force on “Rent-Sangla” scheme composed of members of the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) is being formed to look into the syndicate’s large scale estafa activities that have victimized car owners.

This as the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) recovered more vehicles totaling to 604 targeted by the “Rent-Sangla” syndicate across the country. The scheme involves loans secured from unsuspecting individuals and financial firms using rented motor vehicles as collateral.

“Due to the coordination made by the (HPG) with the NBI and the DOJ, a joint task force “Rent-Sangla” is currently being organized considering the complexity and magnitude of the crime used by the syndicate and the number of victims and vehicles involved,” HPG spokesperson Senior Inspector Jem Delantes said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday.

Of the 604 vehicles recovered, 264 vehicles have been released to the rightful owners. The rest are still in the custody of the respective regional units of PNP where they were recovered.

Delantes noted that the alleged mastermind of the scheme Rafaela Anunciacion was arrested last March 2 but was able to post P40,000 bail.

READ: Bato urges DOJ: Put 5 rent-sangla suspects on lookout bulletin

“She was originally engaged in a legitimate car rental business in Calabarzon area. Her former secretary Eleanor Rosales is believed to have started the “Rent-Sangla” pyramiding scam. They are the primary suspects,” Delantes said.

Cases for violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code for Swindling and Estafa in large scale form were filed against the suspects before the DOJ last February 16.

The HPG has called the attention of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association on the “possible connivance of motor vehicle dealers and sales executives with the syndicate in the commission of the crime.”

The HPG also asked the Bank Security Management Association (BSMA) to look into the culpability of bank personnel being used by the “Rent-Sangla” syndicate in the approval of multiple car loans.

“We have already requested the BSMA to investigate the culpability of bank credit investigators and other bank personnel used by the syndicate in the approval of multi car loans to financially-incapable mortgagors enticed by the syndicates,” the spokesperson said.

The HPG also recommended the anti-fraud and commercial crime unit of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to conduct a parallel investigation on the scheme.