Cops search for couple in suspected 'pasalo' modus

A search is underway for a couple in Nueva Ecija for alleged “Pasalo” modus, according to the report of Emil Sumangil on "Saksi" on Monday.

Pasalo is the agreement in which the buyer can get the item if they agree to shoulder the remainder of the installment on a monthly basis.

One of the victims, who was not named in the report, decided to sell his motorcycle because of the spate of motorbike robberies.

Another victim related that he posted on social media a picture of his motorcycle for sale with the condition that the buyer would handle the assumed balance.

They sold their motorcycles to a couple, who introduced them as entrepreneurs, and agreed to complete the rest of the monthly installment payment for the vehicles.

The payment was met for the first few months.

Several months after the agreement, however, the victims said the bank called informing them that couple failed to settle the rest of the payment.

“Dinadahilan yung lockdown, kaya di sila nakakahulog.” the victim said.

(They used the lockdown as an excuse for their failure to pay the balance for the vehicle.)

“Nung bandang huli, ospital naman yung dinadahilan nila. Hanggang sa October 2020, binlock na nila ko sa lahat sa Facebook, sa cellphone number ko. Hindi ko na sila ma-contact,” he added.

(Then (the couple) used a supposed hospitalization as an excuse. Until last October 2020, they blocked all communications, in Facebook, my cellphone number. I couldn't contact them anymore.)

The couple also rented a car, supposedly for two months.

The car rental owner said the couple paid P14, 000 for the first two weeks. However, they did not pay the rest of the amount that was agreed upon.

“Umabot na ng 4th week, lagi na siya nakikiusap samin na pagbalik nalang ng sasakyan tyaka babayaran yung lahat,” the victim said.

(Until the fourth week (after they rented the car), they always asked that they be permitted to pay the amount due when they return from their trip.)

The victims found out, after they asked for the return of the vehicle, the car was had been pawned off near Urdaneta in Pangasinan.

The victims have now filed a complaint against the couple.

GMA News is trying to get the side of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office and the couple involved in the case. However, we have not received a reply as of posting.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group will conduct a separate investigation.

Meanwhile, the PNP has issued guidelines on steps to follow in selling vehicles

"Lahat po ng ka-transaksyon natin, kailangan alamin po natin,"said OIC Highway Patrol Group Public Information Officer Police Lt. Col. Christopher dela Cruz.

(We should be familiar with the people we transact business with.)

He added that sellers should avoid dealing with people they do not know. -- Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA News