Fugitive Parojinog’s partner arrested

MANILA, Philippines — Police have arrested a former provincial board member, the partner of fugitive Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog, who allegedly coddled him while he was on the run for 10 months, an official said yesterday.

Mena Luansing, 34, was served an arrest warrant issued by the Ozamiz City Regional Trial Court Branch 15 for illegal possession of firearms and explosives at a relative’s house in Barangay San Isidro, Parañaque City at around 7 a.m. Sunday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

Luansing was arrested along with Jonas Galamitan Cablitas, who reportedly coddled her, by members of the Parañaque police, Directorate for Intelligence and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

Albayalde said statements from a domestic helper show “who had been helping” Luansing and Parojinog.

“This is what we are looking into so that we will be able to establish the connections of the Parojinogs,” he said.

Parojinog, whom President Duterte tagged as a high-value target in the government’s war against illegal drugs, was arrested while hiding in Taiwan.

Albayalde said Luansing served as a provincial board member of Misamis Occidental but resigned from her position early this year.

Parojinog is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. He remains in Taiwan, where he is facing charges for violating certain laws.

Albayalde said they are investigating reports Parojinog left the country on board a speedboat.

His brother Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife and 10 others were killed in a series of raids for illegal drugs and loose firearms in July last year.– With Robertzon Ramirez