Ex-Ozamiz councilor Parojinog found dead in jail

MANILA, Philippines — Former Ozamiz City councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog was found dead in his cell at the Ozamiz police station yesterday.

“No violence was noted” in the death of Parojinog, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan said in a statement.

Parojinog died from cardio pulmonary arrest or cardiac arrest secondary to cardiovascular disease ”in what could be a result of coronavirus disease- 2019 infection,” according to  initial findings of the Ozamiz city health office.

Parojinog, who is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and illegal possession of explosive, was supposed to attend a hearing in Ozamis City yesterday.

The Misamis Occidental police said Parojinog was found ”unconscious and unresponsive” when a custodial officer tried to wake him up at around 6 a.m.

Cascolan placed the city police chief and police personnel on night shift on Thursday under restrictive custody while an investigation is ongoing.

He also ordered a probe of  members of the PNP Custodial Center security team in charge of Parojinog’s safety.

Northern Mindanao police director Brig. Gen. Rolando Anduyan said doctors took swab samples from Parojinog to determine if he had COVID.

Parojinog’s brother former Ozamiz mayor Reynaldo Sr., his wife and 10 others were killed in a series of anti-drug raids in Barangay San Roque Lawis in July 2017.

The former mayor's son Reynaldo Jr. and daughter former vice mayor Nova Princess Echavez were arrested.

Ardot, who managed to escape, was arrested for violation of immigration laws in Taiwan in 2018 and deported to the Philippines.

President Duterte said the Parojinogs are among the narco-politicians operating in Mindanao. He earlier warned members of the Parojinog family who are still into illegal drugs that he would ”wipe (them) out.” – Gerry Lee Gorit