MANILA, Philippines - A former Philippine Basketball Association player has been named in a complaint by the National Bureau of Investigation for his alleged involvement in a “rent-a-car” carnapping ring.
Jondan Salvador, who spent time with a slew of teams including Purefoods, Air21, Barako Bull Energy and GlobalPort in a PBA career stretching from 2005 to 2015, was among 5 people charged before the Muntinlupa Prosecutors’ Officer with violating the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.
Also charged were Salvador’s cousin Kim Avee Yu, plus Jonathan Paredes, Sarah Llamas Martinez and Veronica Visceral Berquillo. They stand accused of being part of a loosely connected syndicate which had convinced at least 21 car owners to loan their vehicles as rentals, only to be sold off without their knowledge.
It’s estimated that up to P21 million worth of cars had been sold unlawfully, with each car being sold for between P20,000 to P40,000 each.
Salvador, 35, reportedly facilitated the sales by using fake Certificates of Registration and fake ID cards of car owners, or by way of mortgage.
“It is clearly established during investigation that all of them acted under one intention, that is to deprive the car owners of their vehicles and eventually benefit from its disposition,” said Manuel Antonio Eduarte, chief of the NBI – Anti-Organized Transnational Crime Division.
Salvador was drafted fourth overall in the 2005 PBA Draft by Purefoods after playing college ball in the NCAA for De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. Salvador averaged 3.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 305 career PBA games according to Wikipedia.
Salvador last played professional ball in the ASEAN Basketball League for the Pacquiao Powervit Pilipinas Aguilas, but was released by the team in December 2015.
All of the accused have reportedly denied the charges. – Rappler.com