New TMG chief orders revamp

Acting Traffic Management Group (TMG) director Chief Superintendent Augusto Angcanan has announced the relief of two officials as part of a revamp to improve the anti-car theft campaign.

Angcanan relieved Superintendent Lorenzo Holanday as chief of the TMG-National Capital Region (NCR) and Superintendent James Cristobal as chief of the TMG-Task Force Limbas.

The TMG chief tapped Chief Inspector Ferdinand Villanueva to replace Holanday. The new chief of Task Force Limbas is Superintendent Napoleon Pascua, formerly TMG deputy chief for Intelligence.

Holanday has been named the new PNP-TMG deputy chief for intelligence while Cristobal will be given a "special mission" in connection with the intensified drive against car thieves and carjackers.

"They were not removed from their post for any wrongdoing, but they will be given tasks they should concentrate on for an effective anti-carnapping campaign," Angcanan said

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes, concurrent chief of the National Anti-Crime Task Force (NACTAF), earlier gave the TMG two weeks to put an end to car theft in the country.

Angcanan said that on top of increased police visibility, employment of effective intelligence would be needed to track down members of criminal syndicates.

Under his leadership, the TMG arrested wanted carjacker Randy Madrigal, the leader of the Madrigal Gang operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Angcanan is hopeful another gang leader will soon be arrested in the coming days, saying the TMG has pinpointed his whereabouts.

Angcanan noted that gangs now use high tech equipment in staging their criminal operations as well as eluding law enforcement teams.

"We should now think ahead of the carnappers," he said.