PNP colonel nabbed for ‘rent-tangay’ scheme

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine National Police official and two others were arrested in Parañaque on June 5 by operatives of the PNP Highway Patrol Group for their alleged involvement in a “rent-tangay” scheme, the HPG reported yesterday.

The arrest of Lt. Col. Gideon Ines Jr., 52; Michael Perez Bautista, 42, and Lyn Salazar Tuazon, 52, in an operation resulted in the recovery of a Mitsubishi Expander with  conduction plate number Y4R996, according to HPG director Brig. Gen. Jay Cumigad.

Tuazon, posing as Carmela Tayag, and Bautista reportedly rented the Expander from registered owner Michael Guanlao on June 2.

The car was supposed to be returned by June 4, but complainant Ria Guanlao, the owner’s wife, told police that it was listed for sale online for P350,000.

Ria said a potential buyer alerted her to the sale by contacting her through Facebook Messenger.

On June 5, Ria filed a complaint with the PNP-HPG after coordinating with the supposed buyer to set up a meeting with the suspects in a restaurant parking area in Baclaran. 

At around 6:45 p.m., the suspects were spotted in the parking area. As Ria approached, the suspects attempted to flee but were subdued and arrested. 

The suspects reportedly carried documents, including a green envelope containing photocopies of the vehicle’s registration, an open deed of sale purportedly signed by Ria and a fake identification card.

Probers alleged that Ines was the one giving orders in the transaction.

Ines had arrived at the meeting in a Mitsubishi Montero. The vehicle yielded a laptop, P36,317 cash and a loaded Canik 9mm handgun.

The three were taken to the HPG headquarters for further investigation.