A minor who was tagged in an alleged “rent-tangay” scheme was found dead in his house in Cagayan de Oro City.

His body was found on January 6, 2026, a day after he was released from detention after he was arrested after getting caught by the owner of the vehicle he rented but allegedly did not return.

No details about the circumstances surrounding his death were released.

The boy, 16, was released from police custody after the car owner and his parents reached an agreement for the payment of damages and unpaid rental fees.

Traffic on Osmeña Street in Cagayan de Oro was disrupted around midday on Monday, January 5, after the owner of a rent-a-car business cornered the boy. The owner alleged that the boy did not return on time the vehicle he rented on December 28, 2025.

The boy was supposed to rent the vehicle only for two days.

The owner said he met the boy at a carwash in Opol, Misamis Oriental where he entrusted the vehicle to him after completing their transaction.

“Siya ang nag-receive. Naa mi kontrata. Nawala lang akong hunahuna ganina… sige chat, iyang giangkon, kay ganina wala naman ni siya motubag, so diskumpyado nako, gipangita nako… pag-locate nako sa GPS ganina, nakita nako sa Osmeña, Ramon Chaves, gisubay nako, nakita nako siya diri nagpa-sounds2,” the car owner, Jose Reyes, said.

The owner added that the boy allegedly used fake identification cards and several parts and accessories of the vehicle were damaged, which led him to believe that he had fallen victim to a “rent-tangay” modus.

“Diri nako siya nasapon naghulat diay siya og technician nga motanggal sa GPS siya ang nag-chat, rent-tangay gyud sila,” Reyes added.

Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) spokesperson, Capt. Emilita Simon, reminded the public, especially business owners, to ensure that individuals they transact with are legally capable of entering into contracts.

“Isiguro nato nga ang atong mga ka-transact is valid and naa’y legal capacity to enter into contract kani siya usa ka lapses sa tag-iya kay nagpa enter to contract siya sa usa ka menor de edad,” Simon said.