THE killing of Executive Judge Edmundo Pintac of the Ozamiz City Regional Trial Court is a very rude awakening to the very real possibility of criminal syndicates retaliating against the authorities for the setbacks they have suffered.
In the case of Judge Pintac who was ruthlessly gunned down in the afternoon of Monday as he was heading home in Banadero , Ozamiz City, the Philippine National Police through Director General Oscar Albayalde is already leaning on the theory that his killing could be linked to the criminal cases he had handled against the Parojinogs in that city.
The Parojinogs as the public already knows by now is a well-known clan in Mindanao particularly in Ozamiz where they are rooted as a clan. They have entered and engaged in politics but are known more for their alleged involvement in various criminal activities in that region.
The connection of the Parojinogs to crime is linked to the once feared and notorious vigilante group Kuratong Baleleng led by then by the Parojinog patriarch Octavio “Ongkoy” Sr.
Having the blessing of the government back then in the 80s’ the Kuratong Baleleng as a vigilante group was instrumental in quelling communist insurgents in some parts of Mindanao. Unfortunately, when the communist insurgency waned in that region the armed Kuratotong Baleleng group having nothing better to do apparently began engaging in criminal activities. Kidnapping, extortion and murder seemed to be the order of the day for this former vigilante group and for that the authorities had no option but to tag their former allies as wanted criminals.
Thus, the Parojinogs are certainly no strangers when it comes to violence.
In the present situation, the PNP in its wide ranging and in depth investigation has the obligation to consider all angles in the senseless death of Judge Pintac. They should leave no stone un-turned in the conduct of their investigation so that the culprits and the mastermind/s will be discovered and brought to justice.
If it can be established by authorities that the killing of Judge Pintac can be definitively linked to the criminal cases he has handled against the Parojinogs then there can be only one conclusion that can be arrived at and that a message was sent as a warning that the Parojinogs are not to be trifled with.
This is indeed a chilling message if true and one that reveals the dark nature of crime where criminals in their cruel and malicious intent to subvert the law will use everything at their disposal to perpetuate their evil designs.
If nothing else, the government must do its utmost to re-assure the citizens of Ozamiz City that they have nothing to be afraid of and see to it that justice in the end will and must prevail.
This is vital considering that even if most of the senior members of the Parojinog clan are either dead or in jail, there still exists their influence and their private armed group out to do their bidding. They cannot be allowed to sow further terror in that city.