A TOP official of the Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) said Friday, August 12, that they are validating the alleged links of six politicians in the region to the illegal drugs trade.
PRO-Northern Mindanao regional director Chief Superintendent Noel Constantino declined to name the six who he said may possibly be among the second batch of so called narco-politicians President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to name soon.
Duterte’s initial list of local chief executives, judges, police and military officers allegedly involved in illegal drugs trade included Mayor Reynaldo Parorjinog of Ozamis City and Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro.
Constantino said he already received the copy of a resolution issued by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) which revokes the control of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. Over the police in Ozamis City.
The Napolcom resolution No.2016-48 is entitled "Withdrawing the Deputation of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. of Ozamis City and among others (Under Section 65 of RA 8551 and Napolcom Memo Circular 99-010 as amended by Napolcom circular No. 2001-20013.
"I already informed the Provincial Director of Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office, Police Senior Superintendent Edgar Mencion Daniel, Jr. that the mayor has no longer direct control and supervision of our police and advise him to serve a copy of the said resolution," Constantino said.
Constantino also ordered the immediate recall of all police security detail, escorts and bodyguards assigned to the alleged narco-politicians.
"Dili na sila authorize mogamit sa police as personal security or bodyguard," he said.
But, he said, the politicians can request the services of licensed private security or protective agent service provider duly accredited and authorized by the PNP subject for approval.
Constantino added that all their licensed firearms will be recalled and to be surrendered to the PNP.
Superintendent Surki Sereñas, PRO-Northern Mindanao spokesperson, had also bared that Mayor Parojnog owned 27 registered and licensed firearms, Councilor Octavio Parojinog has 1 gun, Vice mayor Princess Parjoniog (1 firearm), Councilor Ricardo Parojinog owned six firearms and Navarro owned four firearms, according to the Firearms and Explosives Office.
"Ang paghatag sa ila og license is a privilege that can be removed. It is not a right," Constantino said.
The police official reported that the chief of police in Ozamis City and Clarin town has been replaced.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa warned local chief executives to cooperate with the police in the implementation of project 'Tokhang' to avoid sanctions.
Dela Rosa said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) would soon release a memorandum instructing village chiefs to fully cooperate with the police in the war against illegal drugs.
"Magpagawas ang DILG og memorandum directing the barangay to cooperate kung dili motuman ang kapitan pwede sila masuspended," dela Rosa said.