Parojinog drug ring co-founder falls

CAMP FLORENDO, Philippines — A suspected co-founder and two alleged members of a drug ring based in Ozamiz were arrested in San Fernando, La Union on Monday.  

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Ilocos police director, identified the suspects as Manuelito Francisco, 57; his wife and Ozamiz City Councilor Rizalina, 54, and their son June, 31, alias Omboy, a former barangay chairman of San Roque also in Ozamiz.  

Sapitula said the suspects, who were in a Toyota Innova, were pulled over at a checkpoint in Barangay Bangcusay.

Their arrest was based on a warrant issued on Feb. 6 by Ozamiz Regional Trial Court Branch 15 Judge Edmundo Pintac for illegal possession of explosives. 

“Manuelito is allegedly a co-founder of the Parojinog/Kuratong Baleleng Group, a group believed to be involved in robbery, extortion and illegal drugs among others,” Sapitula said.  

The suspects reportedly left their home in Ozamiz after Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others were killed in simultaneous raids on their residences in July last year.

Sapitula commended police operatives for the arrest of the suspects even as he urged them to remain vigilant to arrest criminals hiding in Ilocos.

“Let us enhance our intelligence-sharing as it provides a starting point for a criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution,” he said.

The suspects were brought to the San Fernando police station for turnover to the court.