Slain mayor’s aide to PNP chief: Probe me

MANILA, Philippines — An aide of slain Tanauan, Batangas mayor Antonio Halili yesterday asked Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde to conduct a background investigation on him.

Allan Fajardo, who heads the Mayor’s Anti-Crime Group (MACG), denied allegations he is involved in the illegal drug trade and contract killing.

Fajardo said he fears for his safety following Halili’s assassination on July 2 and the killing of two others in the police’s drug “matrix.”

Halili was assassinated while attending a flag-raising ceremony at the city hall and police are facing a blank wall on the case.

In a letter addressed to Albayalde, Fajar­do said he is a legitimate businessman in Batangas and the PNP can verify his claim of being in the real estate business and a subcontractor for a beverage firm.

Fajardo was named in the police “matrix” as the alleged leader of the Fajardo criminal syndicate, which was reported to be involved in the drug deals and contract killings in Batangas.

He said that as MACG head, he is directly responsible for arresting drug pushers and other criminals.

Fajardo said that because of his work against illegal drugs and crime, he has been subjected to harassment, including police officers searching his house and filing charges against him that were later dismissed.

In the letter to Albayalde signed by lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Joselito Lomangaya, Fajardo said he fears being linked to a “fictitious” crime gang would be used as a basis for his assassination.

“That is why he voluntarily offered himself to be investigated, as long as his rights under the laws are respected, such as the right to counsel, to confront the witnesses against them and to examine the evidence,” the lawyers said in a statement.