Teen linked to ‘rent-tangay’ found dead after police release

• A 16-year-old boy from Cagayan de Oro was found dead on January 6, 2026, only one day after being caught in a high-profile vehicle theft operation
• The minor allegedly used fake IDs to rent a vehicle on December 28, 2025, and was later traced via GPS while attempting to dismantle the car's tracking system
• The victim was released from custody on Monday after his parents agreed to pay for damages, avoiding a formal criminal complaint from the car owner
• COCPO authorities are currently investigating the cause of death while warning business owners about the legal risks of transacting with minors

A complex tale of digital-age deception has taken a dark and final turn in Northern Mindanao. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, just twenty-four hours after being released from police custody, a 16-year-old boy was discovered lifeless in his home.

The minor, whose identity has been withheld due to his age, had been the center of a dramatic confrontation involving a "rent-tangay" scheme that unfolded on the busy streets of the city only a day prior.

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The incident began on January 5, when Jose Reyes, a local car rental owner, finally cornered the teenager on Osmeña Street.

According to Reyes, the boy had rented his vehicle back on December 28, 2025, for what was supposed to be a two-day trip.

Instead, the teen allegedly vanished with the car, ignoring messages and eventually blocking communication.

Using GPS tracking, Reyes located the vehicle and found the minor allegedly waiting for a technician to disable the tracking device.

Investigation revealed a sophisticated operation for someone so young. The teen reportedly used forged identification cards and had already caused significant damage to the vehicle’s accessories.

However, in a move of compassion or perhaps legal convenience, Reyes and the boy’s parents reached an out-of-court settlement.

The family promised to reimburse the rental fees and repair costs, leading the police to release the minor back into his parents' care on Monday evening.

The relief of that reunion was short-lived. By Tuesday morning, the boy was found dead. While the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) has yet to release a definitive autopsy report or confirm the cause of death, the tragedy has cast a somber light on the desperation often found in local crime syndicates.

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Police Captain Emilita Simon, spokesperson for COCPO, issued a stern reminder to the public following the discovery.

She urged business owners to verify the legal capacity of those they transact with, noting that entering into contracts with minors, even those as tech-savvy as the deceased, is a significant legal lapse that often ends in tragedy for all parties involved.

In other news, after days of searching, the security guard suspected of involvement in the death of Anelis Agocoy turned himself in to authorities in Batangas and was subsequently transferred to the Cabuyao City Police at midnight on January 7, 2026. The suspect's father claimed that his son confessed to the incident but characterized it as a tragic accident, alleging that a heated argument and alcohol led to a fatal push rather than an intentional killing. Task force investigators successfully used CCTV footage and bus terminal manifests to reconstruct the suspect's journey as he transported the storage box from Laguna to its final location in Basud, Camarines Norte. While the suspect claims the death was accidental, police are examining a "love triangle" angle, suggesting that extreme jealousy may have been the catalyst for the domestic dispute and subsequent disposal of the body.

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Still in other news, tragedy struck Barangay Malanday in Valenzuela City on January 5, 2026, when a 16-year-old boy with autism, John Ric Hiligan, perished after becoming trapped inside his burning home. At the time the blaze erupted, the teenager was at home alone with his two younger siblings, as their parents were away during the sudden morning emergency. Fire marshals are exploring the possibility that the fire originated from a lighter; family members noted that the boy often sought out such objects as a sensory method to cope with anxiety. The fast-moving fire achieved first alarm status within minutes, destroying several homes and leaving at least four local families without shelter as the 2026 damage assessment continues.

Source: KAMI.com.gh