NO FEWER than 20 members of the Kuratong Baleleng and the Ozamiz robbery groups have reportedly made Mandaue City their home with the help of local businessmen who are close friends with the Parojinog family.
But Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Director Julian Entoma clarified that this doesn’t mean these businessmen are involved in any illegal activities.
The Parojinog family used to lord over Ozamiz City until the death of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and 14 others during a police operation in 2017. His daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Echavez, and her brother Reynaldo Jr. were arrested and transferred to Camp Crame.
“We’re monitoring these businessmen. We’re still trying to determine if they’re involved in any criminal activity. Maybe they couldn’t refuse when members of the syndicate sought their help, considering that their friendship goes way back. But these businessmen need to realize that they can be accused of being protectors or of harboring criminals since some of these men from Ozamiz have warrants of arrest. So if they are again contacted by syndicate members, they should come forward and report the matter to the police,” Entoma said in Cebuano.
The police official said they uncovered the identities of four of the businessmen. One of them, John Pearlnel Dinoro, who survived an ambush last February, had links to the Ozamiz City-based family, he said.
A member of the Parojinog clan from Ozamiz City who was arrested last Friday night, April 5, also urged the public and authorities not to think that all clan members are criminals.
Three members of the Kuratong Baleleng and Ozamiz robbery groups were killed that day, while two, including Niel Parojinog, were arrested in separate operations.
Entoma said they were among the 17 members of the Parojinog robbery-drug group who arrived in Mandaue City last month.
He said these men fled Ozamiz because of the police crackdown there. Some of them are hired assassins and may be used during the elections, he said.
The MCPO learned that 10 members of the Parojinog group have been hiding in Barangay Looc, Mandaue.
Entoma urged business establishments like banks and pawnshops in the city to strengthen their security in light of this development. (From FMD of SuperBalita Cebu, KAL)