Espenido: Parojinogs ordered executions

OZAMIZ City police chief Jovie Espenido said Wednesday that members of the influential Parojinog clan in the city ordered the summary executions and manipulated the results of the anti-drug operations to make it appear that they are supporting the government's war on drugs.

Espenido said that based on information provided by some residents, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog and his uncle, Ardot Parojinog, ordered the executions of those considered enemies of their family.

"Si Ardot, iyun kasi talaga ang parang executioner talaga at saka iyung vice mayor na masahol pa sa papa niya," he said.

"Nakarinig na tayo na since pa, marami nang pinatay. Ihulog lang sa maski saan-saan na lang -- may sa dagat," he added.

Espenido led the bloody raid at the compound of the Parojinogs which resulted in the killing of Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., his wife, and 14 others.

Nova and her brother Reynaldo Jr. were also arrested and are currently being detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Ardot, who was a subject of the search warrant, remains at large.

At least a kilo of illegal drugs and assorted firearms were recovered during the July 30 operation.

Earlier, Ozamiz police have recovered suspected human bones at a mass grave in Cogon village, which was allegedly created by a notorious group linked to Parojinog clan.

Espenido said the discovery of the mass grave stemmed from reports of some residents and family of their alleged victims.

"Daan-daan ngayon magpunta na sa istasyon noong isang araw. Magdala sila ng picture ng asawa nila, anak nila," he said.

Espenido, on the other hand, said the Parojinogs reported fake accomplishments in the city's drug war to show that they fully support the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.

He said the Parojinogs demanded money from the drug pushers in exchange for their freedom while drug users remain in jail.

"Ang mangyari, hulihin nila ang bumili pagkatapos iyung nagbenta hindi hinuli. Doble ang score nila, nagka-kuwarta pa sila, nagkapera pa sila sa bumili. May accomplishment pa," said Espenido.

Aside from drug peddling and summary execution, Espenido said the Parojinogs are also involved in theft and extortion.

He said the Parojinogs for a long time had been unbeatable in the local polls since most residents are voting them out of fear.

"Hindi sila manalo sa Lawis, doon sila manalo sa mga bulubunduking barangay, mga mountainous area kasi dala niya ang mga tao niyang may baril, mga goons. Karamihan ng baril nila ginagamit sa ganoon, 'pag eleksyon," he said.

Espenido, however, said the late mayor Parojinog had been generous to his constituents, earning him a title as Ozamiz City's "Robin Hood".

"Hindi naman lahat alam ng mga tao na mga ilegal ang mga ginawa, pinanggalingan ng pera," he said.

Espenido was among the police officers who received an award during the 116th Police Service Anniversary for his outstanding performance in the government's war on drugs.

Aside from leading the operation which resulted in the successful neutralization of the Parojinog's, he also worked for the arrest of former Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa who was killed by the CIDG operatives in his detention cell at the Baybay sub-provincial jail.

The Parojinogs and Espinosa were among the narco-politicians in President Rodrigo Duterte's drugs watch list. (SunStar Philippines)

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