CIDG undergoes reorganization following extortion allegations

MANILA, Philippines — The provincial and regional offices of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will undergo a reorganization following, among others, an investigation into allegations that some of its members extorted money from a Chinese national, Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. announced on Friday.

The reorganization is also part of a performance evaluation and audit that seeks to boost the CIDG campaign against most wanted criminals, Pagdilao said.

Pagdilao said members of the Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division (AFCCD) of the CIDG were being investigated for allegedly extorting money from Edwin Tan Ngie last February 23 in Manila.

They are: Chief Inspector Teodulo Armanda, Chief Inspector Bienvenido Reydado, Chief Inspector Fernando Reyes, Senior Police Officer 3 Rosauro Almonte, SPO3 Leandro Santos, SPO2 Juancho Medalla, SPO2 Victor Dimaano, SPO2 Eduardo Liwanagan, SPO1 Veronica Villareal, PO3 William Geneblaso, PO3 Sitti Usman, PO3 Glicerio Encela, PO3 Alfredo Bautista, and PO2 Joven dela Cruz.

They were transferred to the Maintenance and Technical Service Division (MTSD) pending the results of the investigation, said Pagdilao.

He said that he assigned Superintendent Benjamin Acorda to head the AFCCD with directions to “institute drastic reforms” to the unit. He was formerly the Region 4B Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (4BRCIDG) chief.

Replacing Acorda as 4BRCIDG chief is Superintendent Nazario Fernandez who was formerly the chief of the Police Community Relation (PCR), Operations Management Division (OMD).

Leading Rizal CIDG is Chief Inspector Vergilio Madronio who was formerly with the Anti-Organized Crime Division (AOCD). He is replacing Chief Inspector Eduard Mallo who has been reassigned to CIDG OMD.

Quezon province CIDG will be headed by Chief Inspector Joel de Mesa from the CIDG Public Information Office (PIO). The provincial unit’s outgoing leader Chief Inspector Joselito Villarosa, was reassigned to CIDG regional office in Central Luzon.

Cavite CIDG will be headed by Chief Inspector Marlon Santos from the CIDG Detection and Special Operations Division (DSOD). He is replacing Chief Inspector Reynaldo Magdaluyo who has been assigned to the CIDG regional office in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Julius Cesar Mana of the Pampanga CIDG will be replaced by Chief Inspector Hernando Cunanan as Mana has been reassigned to the regional office in Central Luzon.