2 kidnap gang leaders evade NAKTF

Two of the country’s most wanted kidnappers escaped as anti-kidnapping agents raided their hideout in Tanauan, Batangas on Tuesday.

Brothers Harold and Rolando Fajardo reportedly jumped into a 15-foot deep creek at the back of their two-story concrete house before agents of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF) could enter the premises of their hideout in Barangay Pagaspas.

The two leaders of the notorious Fajardo kidnapping gang are Nos. 1 and 2 in the NAKTF’s order of battle.

However, agents arrested one of their henchmen, Macario Galicia, who was identified using a passport and a driver’s license found in his possession. Galicia was taken for questioning to NAKTF headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

A gun license issued by Senior Superintendent Geary Baria, former head of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division, was also seized from Galicia.

Agents also found in the Fajardo gang’s hideout 25.4 grams of shabu, an electronic weighing scale, a pair of camouflage military field jacket and pants, cash amounting to P54,000, and a stolen motorcycle.

NAKTF agents raided the hideout on the strength of a search and arrest warrant issued by the Cavite Regional Trial Court.

An informant told NAKTF agents that the Fajardo brothers had been staying at the newly built house during weekends.

Retired Gen. Angelo Reyes, NAKTF chief, said they are investigating whether the Fajardo brothers are being protected by scalawag soldiers and policemen.

Reyes said the Fajardos could have been involved in the 1986 kidnapping of Japanese Noboyuki Wakaoji, then general manager of Mitsui Busan Ltd., Philippines.