QCPD files charges against rob gang leader

MANILA, Philippines - Thaddeus Fajardo, who reportedly leads an organized crime group based in Southern Luzon, was allegedly among the armed men who staged the violent robbery at a market in Quezon City last December.

The Quezon City Police District filed charges of robbery and frustrated murder yesterday against Fajardo and three others at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office in connection with the heist at Suki Market on Dec. 20, 2012.

Arrested suspect Charlie Mamalayan identified Fajardo as one of his three companions who robbed a stall at the market.

The two other suspects were Christopher Castillo, who remains at large, and Juniel Siguenza, who was killed when shot by responding policemen following the market heist.

The QCPD reported that Fajardo leads an organized crime group operating in Southern Luzon.

Fajardo is a son of Ruperto Fajardo, who was convicted of kidnapping a Japanese businessman in 1986. The father was imprisoned for 18 years.

His brother Rolando, wanted for eight counts of kidnapping and one count of car theft, was arrested in November 2010 when he returned after hiding in Italy for eight years.

Another brother, Harold, is wanted for kidnapping and car theft and has a P1-million bounty on his head.

According to QCPD officials, the robbery case against Fajardo in connection with the Suki Market heist was the first criminal complaint filed against him in Quezon City.