MANILA, Philippines — Security preparations have been laid out in anticipation of the possible return of fugitive Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog to the Philippines from Taiwan, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday.
Abayalde said they already have a police team ready to fetch Ardot from Taiwan anytime.
An ABS-CBN report quoting a source said that a police team is on its way to Pingtung Detention Center, where Parojinog has been detained following his arrest in May for violation of immigration laws. The report said the fugitive may return to the country today (Friday).
However, Albayalde said they have no confirmation if Ardot will be turned over to the PNP by Friday.
“It's still a plan but that's a big possibility,” he said in a phone patch interview with reporters.
Officials from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) refused to comment on Ardot’s possible return to the country.
PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana said they will set a press conference at the airport once Ardot’s return to the country is confirmed.
Albayalde said they will secure Ardot once he arrives in the country and is under the custody of the CIDG. He will be subjected to medical examination and booking procedures. He is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms.
“He will be surrendered to the court of origin,” he said.
Albayalde said they have not received any specific threats to Ardot’s security.
But before he is endorsed to the court, Parojinog will undergo tactical interrogation to determine the people who helped him leave the country for Taiwan.
“That is tantamount to giving support to a criminal,” Albayalde said.
They also want to know the extent of Ardot's involvement in the illegal drug trade and other criminal activities.
“Alam naman natin na malaki yung network nya, or meron pang nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa kanya (We know he has a large network, or there are still people giving him protection),” Albayalde said.
Parojinog is a brother of former Ozamiz mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, who was killed together with other relatives and associates during a drug raid in the city in July last year.
President Duterte named members of the Parojinog family as among the politicians with suspected links to the illegal drug trade.
Ardot was also a target of the police operation but he eluded arrest until he was arrested in Taiwan last May.