'Sacked' anti-carjacking czar honored

The former police commander of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) director was accorded Monday medal honors for leading the government’s anti-carjacking campaign, which has lately turned into a source of controversy for law enforcers. Chief Supt. Augusto Angcanan, who led the TMG for five months, did his best to keep his head high during formal ceremonies in Camp Crame. He turned over command of the TMG to Chief Supt. Errol Pan. Contrary to previous reports, however, Angcanan denied that he was terminated from his post. He said he believed the change of leadership in the TMG would prove to be best for the police organization. Angcanan left his post Friday briefly after his men mistakenly opened fire at the car of businessman Randolf Clareto in an anti-carjacking operation in Pasig City last week. Under his leadership, Angcanan handled the alleged Ortigas shootout last year which resulted in the death of scions of prominent families in Metro Manila. News reports Friday said Director Gen. Arturo Lomibao, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered Angcanan’s relief. Angcanan took over Pan's former job as deputy director of the office of the Directorate for Plans.-GMANews.TV