New PNP anti-kidnapping chief named

Philippine National Police Headquarters / Wikipedia Photo

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) named Senior Supt. Roberto Fajardo as the new chief of the agency’s anti-kidnapping group. He used to be the head of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the National Capital Region.

Fajardo will replace Senior Supt. Renato Gumban who will now be taking the role of deputy regional director for administration in Mimaropa or Region IV-B.

According to PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, the re-assignment of Gumban is not in any way related to the recent rise in kidnap-for-ransom case.

Sindac added that it is a “part of his career advancement on the way to his promotion to one-star rank.”

During his stint as CIDG chief, Fajardo was able to uncover the illegal online gambling operations led by a Canadian national who apparently is listed by the United States Department of Homeland Security for anti-money laundering and illegal online gambling in its wanted list, shared Sindac.

Fajardo is also responsible for the arrest of a CIDG official and six others who are allegedly reselling seized shabu from suspected drug peddlers in Pampanga.

Also in April, Fajardo assisted in the arrest of former Commission on Audit Chair Reynaldo Villar who was charged with a plunder case for the alleged misuse of P366 million funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office alongside ex-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.