Three people, including a police official with a rank of lieutenant colonel, landed in jail for alleged carnapping involving a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was rented in Bamban, Tarlac.
The operation, according to a police report from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), stemmed from the complaint of the owner of an MPV who sought police assistance after learning that her car was being sold on June 5.
The complainant said that it was the supposed buyer of her vehicle who contacted her through a messaging app to verify if she is indeed the registered owner of the vehicle that was being sold for P350,000.
The complainant told the police that the vehicle was rented from her by a certain Michael Perez Bautista on June 2. The rent was for two days but was not returned on time.
The complainant immediately sought police assistance and at around 7 p.m. on January 5, the operation was carried out in Baclaran, Parañaque City which resulted in the recovery of the vehicle and the arrest of three people.
Those arrested were later identified as Police Lt. Col. Gideon Ines, Jr.; 52; Michael Perez Bautista, 42; and Lyn Salazar Tuazon, 25.
The complainant said the car was accepted by Bautista during the rental process while Tuazon was the one who arranged the rental online.
Police are conducting an investigation to verify the allegation that it was Ines who was giving orders on the selling of the rented car, following his presence and arrest during the operation.
Police then warned motor vehicle owners to be alert against what they described as ‘rentangay” scheme wherein the rented vehicles are being sold without the knowledge of the owners.
Appropriate criminal charges are now being prepared against the arrested suspects while separate administrative charges will be slapped against Ines.