NBI files case vs car dealer

CEBU, Philippines - A car dealer is facing a criminal complaint relating to Anti-Fencing Law lodged by the National Bureau of Investigation-7 before the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor.

Regional Director Max Salvador sued Jaime Ang of Ayala Motors with office on Juan Luna Street, Mabolo, Cebu City for allegedly buying a carnapped vehicle owned by Elvira Salud, a resident of Balagtas Street, Cebu City and a wife of boxing promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud.

Investigation conducted by supervising agent lawyer Renan Oliva disclosed that on September 10, 2014, Elvira bought a 2009 dark gray Mitsubishi Strada GLS 2.5 pick-up with Plate No. NPO 553 from Abelardo Malimban of Binangonan, Rizal for P700,000.

Elvira said on October 3, 2014, Peter Santos and Stephen Tan, an interested buyer of the said vehicle, went to her residence. She offered the Mitsubishi Strada for sale at P800,000.

“After agreeing with the price, I allowed Santos and Tan to test drive the pick-up and since I knew them, I allowed them to verify the papers of the vehicle which were inside its glove compartment,” she said.

After the two test drives, however, the vehicle up to now has not been returned, Elvira claimed.

She tried to call Santos for the return of the vehicle but her calls allegedly remained unanswered.

Elvira added it was later found out that the said vehicle was displayed at a second hand display center in Mabolo, Cebu City.

Ang said Elvira’s vehicle was offered to him by Januario Adlawan on behalf of Santos and Tan. In fact, he added the vehicle was brought to his office by Adlawan together with Santos, Tan and Rachel Jumao-as who brought along with them the papers of the vehicle and a Deed of Absolute Sale allegedly executed by Malimban, the registered owner of the vehicle.

Malimban on November 14, 2014, however, executed a sworn statement before the NBI in the presence of Elvira, Jaime Ang and Adlawan disowning the signature in the Deed of Absolute Sale.

The NBI-7 likewise filed carnapping complaint against Santos, Tan, Adlawan and Jumao-as before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

The respondents are set to answer the allegations filed against them. Their comments were not available as of press time yesterday.  — (FREEMAN)