Rent-a-car na tinangay noong Semana Santa, natagpuang chop-chop; apat na suspek arestado
- A rented vehicle stolen during Holy Week was discovered dismantled in a repair shop in Quezon City
- The owner tracked the car using a remaining GPS device after two trackers were removed
- Four men were arrested at the shop, while authorities continue to hunt for the renter and alleged mastermind
- Police suspect an organized carnapping scheme involving rental cars being dismantled for parts
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
A rent-a-car vehicle taken during Holy Week was found dismantled in a repair shop, leading to the arrest of four suspects, authorities said.
Source: UGC
The car owner managed to track the vehicle using a GPS device that remained hidden inside the unit.
The owner had purchased the car through a loan in December to help support his family’s daily expenses and occasionally offered it for rent.
“Kinuha ko po siya sir para [makatulong] din sa daily expenses naming pamilya,” the owner said in a report by Ivan Mayrina on 24 Oras Weekend.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!
The vehicle was rented for the fourth time by a woman who requested an overnight arrangement. She claimed she would travel to Bulacan for the Holy Week break.
“Sabi niya, i-rent niya lang daw papuntang Bulacan. Kasi maghu-Holy Week doon ‘yung pamilya niya,” the owner recalled.
However, by 10 a.m. on Good Friday, the renter stopped responding and blocked the owner on chat, raising suspicion.
The owner relied on three GPS trackers installed in the car, but two were no longer functioning.
“‘Yung dalawa, sir, nagtataka na ako kung bakit hindi na siya pumapalo nang maayos. Hindi ko na siya gaanong nalo-locate nang maayos. ‘Yun pala, natanggal na. Hanggang sa may natira lang na isa, sir, na siguro ‘di pa nila nakikita. Pumalo ‘yun,” he said.
The remaining tracker eventually led him to a repair shop in Barangay Doña Imelda, Quezon City, where the vehicle had already been dismantled. Police arrested four men found at the location.
One suspect denied knowing the vehicle was stolen.
“Hindi po namin alam naman na rent-a-car. Nahila lang po kami para tumulong magkalas,” he said. Another suspect claimed he was only tasked to deliver parts. “Nag-tricycle po ako. Bale, nautusan lang po akong mag-deliver ng mga piyesa,” he explained.
Authorities said carnapping charges are being prepared against the renter and the alleged mastermind, who remain at large. Police believe the incident may be part of an organized scheme involving rented vehicles being dismantled for parts.
In a related development, President Marcos Jr. replaced Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and named Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as officer-in-charge. Nartatez, who belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992, previously held the post of Deputy Chief for Administration, considered the second-highest position in the PNP. The change came after Torre ordered a reshuffle of senior police officials that reportedly did not secure approval from the National Police Commission and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, triggering criticism and controversy. Upon assuming the role, Nartatez pledged to intensify patrol visibility, improve investigations, enforce the five-minute response policy, and uphold integrity within the organization.
Prior to this, Gen. Nicolas Torre III had already been relieved from his position as PNP chief. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed the development on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. A directive from Malacañang instructed Torre to immediately hand over his duties, though no specific reason for the decision was provided.
Bagong feature: Tingnan ang mga balitang para sa'yo ➡️ hanapin ang "Recommended for you" block at mag-enjoy!
Source: KAMI.com.gh
