Brod of ‘crime family’ leads own gang – QCPD

MANILA, Philippines - A son of a convicted kidnapper – perhaps following in the footsteps of his father and two elder brothers, both on the Philippine National Police’s list of most wanted men – may be leading his own gang, according to a report by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

The report, obtained by The STAR, stated that Thaddeus Fajardo of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, allegedly heads a gang that reportedly operates in Batangas, Laguna and other provinces in Region 4-A, QCPD director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega said.

Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said Fajardo has been charged with robbery and frustrated murder in connection with a robbery at the Suki Market in Barangay Sta. Teresita, Quezon City on Dec. 20, 2012. This is  his first criminal case, police said.

His father, Ruperto, was convicted for the kidnapping of Japanese businessman Noboyuki Wakaoji in 1986 and imprisoned for 18 years. His elder brother Rolando, wanted for eight counts of kidnapping and one count of car theft, was arrested in November 2010 when he returned to the Philippines after hiding for eight years in Italy.

Another brother, Harold, is wanted for kidnapping and car theft and has a P1-million bounty on his head. However, investigators said they do not know if Harold has been arrested.

The “TJ Fajardo organized crime group,” as the report called Thaddeus’ gang, reportedly includes two suspects arrested for a heist at the Suki Market in Barangay Sta. Teresita, Quezon City on Dec. 20: Charlie Mamalayan and Police Officer 1 Jonathan Barredo.

Barredo was arrested after a sport utility vehicle used in the market heist was traced to him, Senior Police Officer 4 Alan dela Cruz said. Barredo reportedly recruited Mamalayan to join Thaddeus’ group, Marcelo said, adding that Mamalayan was identified as the one who allegedly shot a security guard during the market heist.

Councilman named

Dela Cruz said another alleged member of the group is Christopher Castillo, an incumbent village councilman of Barangay Coloconto in San Juan, Batangas.

Dela Cruz said Castillo has pending cases for three counts of attempted murder and two counts of frustrated murder in connection with an encounter in which two policemen were hurt.

Castillo was also accused of being involved in the “killing of Bantay Dagat chairman Marcel de Chavez on Sept. 9, 2009; Eulogio Perez on Sept. 29, 2007; and in the ambush of Jesus Sora Jr., barangay chairman of Ticalan in San Juan, Batangas in September 2008. He was arrested on April 3, 2012  (in) Barangay Maraykit, San Juan… for illegal possession of firearms,” Marcelo said in a report.

Dela Cruz also named Juniel Siguenza of Calamba, Laguna as a member of the group who died of a gunshot wound he suffered during a shootout with police officers following the market heist.

Siguenza was the subject of a manhunt by the police for the murder of security guard Nemesio Estacio on Nov. 29, 2012 in Calamba, Dela Cruz said.

Cases piling up

Dela Cruz said Mamalayan was identified as the man who reportedly shot Genesis Olbedencia, 36, in Barangay Commonwealth on Oct. 16, 2012. Olbedencia was shot several times as he was running away from four men who carjacked his new maroon Mitsubishi Montero.

Dela Cruz said Castillo was also tagged in the incident and was allegedly one of two men seen waiting in the area and asking for directions prior to Olbedencia’s arrival.

Mamalayan was also tagged in the killing of moneychanger shop owner Marvin Sandiko during a robbery in Quezon City on Dec. 15, 2012.

Marcelo also said Mamalayan has a car theft case pending with the Calamba, Laguna regional trial court and was also identified by the Calamba police as one of the men who robbed and killed John Umali on Nov. 1, 2010.