Gardiola returns to Cebu to take HPG regional post

CEBU - The former head of the PNP Highway Patrol Group’s Task Force Limbas has been reassigned to Cebu City by Camp Crame to intensify the campaign against vehicle smuggling and recover stolen vehicles brought to this part of Central Visayas.

Senior Supt. Antonio N. Gardiola Jr., a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class 1986, used to be the regional director of the Highway Patrol Group in Northern Luzon before his assignment to Cebu effective last November 12.

Gardiola replaced Sr. Supt. Jesus Manubay who was reassigned to also head a Highway Patrol Group in another region.

Task Force Limbas, the unit that used to be headed by Gardiola, is tasked to find smuggled and stolen vehicles. During his stint in that unit, many stolen and smuggled vehicles were recovered.

Superintendent Manuel Vicente said he expects there will be more stolen and smuggled vehicles recovered by the Highway Patrol Group under the leadership of Gardiola.

“Sigurado g’yod na kay suhito man kaayo na si Colonel Gardiola unsaon pag-ila sa mga kinawat nga sakyanan,” said HPG-7 operations chief Simplicio Torredes.

Torredes also said the Presidential Anti-Kolurum-Kotong Task Force (PAKKTF) —a joint team composed of HPG, and members of the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board— is scheduled to start operations next week.

He said anybody who has a complaint against any traffic enforcer may file their complaint before the HPG-7.

Torredes said the campaign against colurum vehicles is to be headed by the LTFRB, the government agency tasked to issue franchises to public utility vehicles. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)