Another Parojinog dies; alleged clan hitman surfaces

MANILA, Philippines -  The death toll from last Sunday’s police raid in Ozamiz City has reached 16 following the death of another relative of slain Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr.

Daryl Parojinog, the mayor’s nephew who was wounded in the raid, has died, family lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said on Tuesday.

Northern Mindanao police spokesman Supt. Lemuel Gonda confirmed that Daryl is the 16th fatality in the predawn raid that killed Mayor Parojinog, his wife Susan, his brother Misamis Occidental board member Octavio and their sister Mona.

Police also arrested Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog and her brother Reynaldo Jr., both now under custody at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame.

Parojinog was among the local officials named by President Duterte as being involved in the narcotics trade.

Duterte has a list of so-called narco-politicians, policemen and judges as part of his crackdown against illegal drugs that has made him popular with many Filipinos but has been condemned by human rights groups and other critics.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the drug list is being validated for possible action against local officials involved in illegal drugs.

He said the PNP is conducting case buildup against the local officials, including mayors listed among those involved in illegal drug operations.

Dela Rosa, however, clarified that not all personalities included in the drug list will be targeted.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, except if they are really bad. This is the reason why we have to validate the list. It would depend on the prevailing situation,” he said.

Dela Rosa assured the public that the PNP will conduct operations against the personalities in the drug list “without fear or favor.”

At the same time, Dela Rosa ordered the deployment of more police troops in Ozamiz City to counter possible retaliation from supporters of the Parojinog family.

Dela Rosa cited intelligence reports that two ferries carrying Parojinog sympathizers and relatives would swarm Ozamiz to show support for the family.

Relatives of the Parojinogs maintained all the evidence supposedly seized during last Sunday’s raid was planted.

‘60 kilos of drugs a week’

However, a self-confessed hitman of the Parojinog family surfaced and revealed the alleged criminal activities of the family.

A certain Noel, wearing a blue hood, claimed he worked for the Parojinogs as their hitman and drug courier for two decades.

“We got about 50 to 60 kilos of drugs weekly from Herbert ‘Ampang’ Colangco,” Noel told ABS-CBN, referring to an inmate at the New Bilibid Prison romantically linked to Nova Princess. “The Parojinog siblings would divide among themselves drugs from Manila.”

Noel said the Parojinogs were behind other crimes like bank robbery, from which he received commissions.

“We were warned that if we disobeyed the Parojinogs, they would retaliate and our families would be killed,” Noel said.

Leni, Leila seek probe

Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday led critics in calling for a thorough investigation into the raid.

Robredo reiterated her support for proper law enforcement in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs but said last Sunday’s raid was no minor incident, given the high number of casualties that included the local chief executive and his family.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima has filed a resolution calling for a congressional inquiry into the incident.

De Lima said there are questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the implementation of the search warrant on the home of the Parojinogs, based on established legal procedures, jurisprudence and witness testimonies. – With Helen Flores, Marvin Sy, Paolo Romero