PNP chief on Ozamiz raid: More to come

MANILA, Philippines - Expect more operations against narco politicians following the police raid on Sunday in Ozamiz that killed its mayor and 14 others, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa warned yesterday.

“Marami pa, hintay-hintay lang kayo (There will be more, just wait),” Dela Rosa told reporters at Camp Crame.

He said the raid in Ozamiz “should serve as a warning to everyone,” adding that the PNP has no sacred cows.

“As far as law enforcement is concerned, we have no fear or favor. Kung kailangan i-operate ka, i-operate ka talaga (If we need to include you in our operation, we will include you in our operation),” he said.

He reminded the public that an intensified campaign against drugs has been a priority of the Duterte administration.

Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. was killed together with his wife Susan, his brother and sister along with 11 of their men who allegedly shot it out with police serving search warrants for unlicensed firearms and illegal drugs.

Also killed were members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team in the raid in San Roque Lawis, Ozamiz City.

A daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, and son Reynaldo Jr. were arrested during the raid.

Parojinog’s brother Octavio Jr. and sister Mona were among those killed in the raid.

The late mayor had claimed that while his vice mayor daughter was the girlfriend of convict Herbert Colanggo, she had never been involved in illegal drugs.

Shortly after he assumed office last year, President Duterte named over 100 local government officials nationwide allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

Last year, Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa, Saudi Ampatuan mayor Samsodin Dimaukom and Meriam and Melvin Odicta from Iloilo were killed one after another by police and unidentified gunmen. They were among the politicians linked to illegal drugs by Duterte.

Espinosa was killed inside his cell at the Baybay sub-provincial jail in Leyte last November, while Dimaukom was killed in an alleged shootout at a police checkpoint on suspicion he and his security personnel were transporting illegal drugs last October.

The Odicta couple were shot dead at the Caticlan port by unidentified men in April last year.

Dela Rosa clarified that the PNP is not necessarily prioritizing drug lords based in Mindanao, noting that police operations depend on the status of a case.

“There are many tactical considerations, legal and everything, case buildup,” Dela Rosa pointed out.

He assured individuals previously linked to drugs not to worry if they had already turned their back on the illegal drug trade.

“If they are really not doing wrong, then why would you be afraid? The case buildup can be built or un-built depending on the prevailing situation,” Dela Rosa explained. “If we validated that you are continuously involved in illegal drugs, then they have to prepare themselves.”

Dela Rosa stressed he had wanted Parojinog alive so he could be made to face justice.

“I wanted him alive but I want my men to be alive more than him. As the smoke is cleared, the good men should be standing and the bad men should be lying on the pavement,” said Dela Rosa.

At the Department of Justice (DOJ) where they were brought yesterday, Echavez and Reynaldo Jr. underwent inquest proceedings on charges of drug possession and illegal possession of firearms.

The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group submitted to investigating Assistant State Prosecutor Josie Christina Dugay the pieces of evidence they seized during the raid.

Police said about P1.4 million in cash, half a kilo of suspected shabu and firearms were recovered from the vice mayor’s home.

A lawyer of the Parojinogs disputed police claims that the raiders were met with a volley of gunfire from the mayor’s security personnel when they were about to serve the search warrants.

Echavez’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio sought the dismissal of the charges, questioning the legality of the operation conducted by police.

Meanwhile, Ozamiz Bishop Martin Jumoad appealed for prayers for the slain mayor and the others, saying he hoped his death would bring peace and prosperity to the city.

“We are sad with the untimely death of mayor Aldong Parojinog. I do not judge him. May his soul and the souls of those who died with him rest in peace,” he added.

“May his death pave the way for Ozamiz City (to) become a peaceful city, progressive where people enjoy the air of freedom and prosperity,” he added. – Edu Punay, Evelyn Macairan