National Capital Region Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo presents to the press high-powered firearms, weapons and magazines seized from the Pampanga police CIDG unit, where its chief allegedly extorted drug syndicates in exchange of their release. JULLIANE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Several high-powered firearms and weapons were seized from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group team of Pampanga police following the alleged involvement of its chief in extorting money from drug syndicates.
After two months of surveillance, the Philippine National Police CIDG arrested last Monday afternoon Pampanga CIDG head Chief Inspector Bienvenido Reydado, who has been linked to the multi-million peso scheme.
Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, PNP CIDG director, said Tuesday in a press briefing at Camp Crame that Reydado has been relieved from his post and is currently under their custody.
The raid inside the Pampanga CIDG office yielded five high-powered firearms, 11 pistols, a rifle grenade and assorted magazines for different calibers.
Aside from Reydado, six civilian agents believed to be cohorts of the police officer were also apprehended.
In the scheme, agents allegedly buy information about Chinese drug syndicates to Reydado.
The relieved Pampanga CIDG chief in turn sets up a bust operation with the armed civilian agents only to allow the suspects to go scot-free in exchange of millions of cash.
Anti-Organized Crime Division chief Superintendent Alexander Tagum, meanwhile, confirmed to INQUIRER.net that the CIDG has relieved Superintendent Victor Valencia, chief of CIDG Central Luzon.
Reydado, a graduate of PNP Academy class of 1999, was formerly assigned with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as an agent before assuming as Pampanga CIDG chief in August last year.
Prior to the arrest, Magalong added that Reydado faced “anomalies and irregularities in the performance of his duty.”
RELATED STORIES
Lipa drug bust tied to Mexico drug ring
Narcs arrest Chinese-Filipino in Manila drug bust