Fourteen new complaints connected to the so-called "rent-tangay" car rental scam were endorsed by the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) Unit 4-A to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday.

The complainants are:

• Leonora Galvez Batolome of Malolos, Bulacan;
• Jayson B. Lim of Novaliches, Quezon City;
• Juan Marina Mendoza of San Miguel, Bulacan;
• Edwin De Jesus De Guzman of Mandaluyong City;
• Arvin Pigar Capili of Makati City;
• Jayson S. Tan of Novaliches, Quezon City;
• Samuel Valmores Cambangay of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan;
• Jokko Alberto Evangelista of San Ildefonso, Bulacan;
• Christine Racel D. Benedicto of Pasig City;
• Michelle Hibas Vasquez of Silang, Cavite;
• Ramil V. Illescas of San Ildefonso, Bulacan;
• Jovelyn Idago Illescas of Valenzuela City;
• and Lida Conquilla Termulo of of Makati City.

Named as respondents in the complaints are:

• Rafaela M. Anunciacion
• Tychichus H. Nambio
• Marilou V. Cruz
• Bienvenido Cruz
• Roberto Cruz
• Jeffrey Reyes
• Edgardo S. Ramos
• Alfredo Ronuillo
• Ravenal Quizon
• Eleanor Constantino Rosales
• Lorena Adriano

The PNP-HPG referral states that agents, through the encouragement of perpetrators, recruited car owners to unknowingly fall victim to the wide-scale scam.

"Interested car owners will be offered a P25,000 monthly rental for sedan, P35,000 monthly rental for AUVs, and P45,000 monthly rental for SUVs by suspect(s) and his/her cohorts. Thus, upon introduction of the car owners by the resident agent to suspect and/or his/her cohorts and after the conclusion of their agreement, vehicles will be taken.”

"Not known to these car owners, their vehicles will be brought to areas in CALABARZON mostly on Silang, Cavite and nearby cities and municipalities being loaned/pawned to different individuals ranging from P200,000 for sedan; P300,000 for AUVs and P400,000 for SUVs with a promise of a 5% monthly rebate or return of investment.

Meanwhile, the DOJ began its preliminary investigation hearing into earlier complaints filed against respondents also on Monday.

Respondents, however, failed to submit their respective counter-affidavits asking for more time.

The DOJ set the submission on the next hearing on March 31, at 10 a.m.

The preliminary investigation of the complaints will be handled by a panel composed of senior assistant state prosecutor (SASP) Rosanne Balauag, chairperson; SASP Rex Gingoyon; assistant state prosecutor (ASP) Aristotle Reyes; ASP Rodan Parrocha; ASP Bryan Cacha, Jr.; ASP Anna Devanadera; ASP Jovyanne Escaño-Santamaria; associate prosecution attorney (APA) II Wendell Bendovall; APA II Joan Garcia; and APA I Marc Tariga.