Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) — National police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa ordered on Tuesday the relief of Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Supt. Roberto Fajardo from his duties following the death of a minor while in the hands of Caloocan City policemen.
Fajardo was put under “administrative relief” by dela Rosa, according to PNP’s Director for Personnel and Records Management Rene Asperas.
Fajardo, as NPD chief, was in charge of the areas of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, where bloody drug operations have been reported since last week.
Kian delos Santos, a 17-year-old student, was among those 82 killed in successive overnight operations in Bulacan and Metro Manila.
Fajardo is the sixth — and highest ranking — police personnel to be relieved from his duties after Kian’s death, following the restrictive custody of PO3 Armel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz, as well as the relief of C/Insp. Amor Cerillo and Caloocan City Police chief Sr. Supt. Chito Bersaluna.
CNN Philippines’ Correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
