Sacked cop, partner nabbed for stealing rented cars

MANILA, Philippines - A former policeman and his partner were arrested on April 10 for allegedly pawning 11 vehicles he rented from various car rental firms to casino financiers, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said yesterday.

Former Chief Inspector Michael Saturnino, 37, and his lover, Mary Grace Balingit, 37, were arrested by HPG agents outside a casino in Barangay San Isidro, Parañaque City.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Arazzad Subong said the couple was arrested while attempting to pawn a white Toyota Innova (OUY-215) to casino financiers for P200,000. The license plate attached to the vehicle did not match records at the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

The arrest of the couple led to the recovery of 11 vehicles – five Toyota Vios, a Mitsubishi Lancer, a Ford Escape, a Suzuki Celerio, a Ford Focus, a Ford Everest and a Mitsubishi Strada – they reportedly pawned.

Subong said the couple’s scheme is to rent cars using fake names.

“As soon as they get the vehicle, they hide, alter and make new LTO registration documents and then illegally transact it for mortgage to casino financiers by posing as owners of the vehicles,” he said.

Subong said Saturnino used to be a member of the HPG but was transferred to the National Capital Regional Police Office, which later dismissed him from the service.

The HPG chief said Saturnino and Balingit were charged with swindling, falsification of documents, concealing true names, driving without a license before the Parañaque City prosecutor’s office.