Cousin of ‘abducted’ trader gunned down in Laguna

SAN PEDRO CITY — A relative of the businessman, whose ‘abduction’ two months ago in a four-star hotel puzzled authorities, was gunned down in Calamba City in Laguna province.

A police report said Alfredo Fajardo was onboard his motorcycle when chased down and shot and killed by two men, also on a motorcycle, along the national highway in Barangay Lecheria, Calamba City around 2:40 p.m. Thursday.

In a phone interview Friday, Calamba city police chief Lt. Col. Jack Malinao said Alfredo was a cousin of businessman Allan Fajardo, who has remained missing since about 30 men dressed in full battle, took him on April 3 from the Ayala-operated Seda hotel in Nuvali.

The hotel’s security cameras captured his abduction.

Malinao said Alfredo had just come out of a cockpit in the city where he allegedly tried “to extort” money from local businessmen.

He said Alfredo was working for Allan’s brother Marvin Fajardo, who was allegedly involved in extortion activities.

“In fact, there was a cash deposit slip named to Marvin and some cash recovered in the scene,” Malinao said.

He said Marvin’s group had earned them “several enemies, but were scared to talk” or file a complaint.

Allan was included in the police watchlist for illegal drugs but in 2018 wrote police Director General Oscar Albayalde in an effort to clear his name.

Allan’s family had sought out the National Bureau of Investigation to locate the businessman saying it did not trust the police. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)