THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) has confirmed on Thursday the arrest of Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog in Taiwan.
In a press briefing, PNP Spokesperson PCSupt. John C. Bulalacao said Mr. Parojinog was arrested after the Taiwanese government was alerted that he had no proper documentation upon entering the country.
“Although we still don’t have the exact date, the PNP is always ready to go to Taiwan to fetch Ardot Parojinog and, of course, we will follow the process of deportation. Because of his violations in Taiwan — the reason for his arrest — it will take some time before he will be deported to the Philippines,” Mr. Bulalacao said.
Mr. Bulalacao also said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is investigating how Mr. Parojinog was able to slip past Philippine immigration authorities and reach Taiwan.
“That is something that is being investigated by the DFA and if in case DFA finds out that he left the country through the backdoor, he will have more problems,” Mr. Bulalacao said.
Mr. Parojinog on his return to Manila will be charged with illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives, Mr. Bulalacao said.
“Just recently, his house was raided by the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group). It was also discovered that there is also a case of theft of power, electricity,” Mr. Bulalacao added.
Malacañang, for its part, welcomed this development as “good news,” adding that Mr. Parojinog’s flight to Taiwan is an admission of guilt.
“[Talagang] sisiguraduhin naman po natin na magkakaroon ng katarungan; kung mayroong nalabag na batas itong si Councilor Parojinog, siya po ay iimbestigahan, [lilitisin] at paparusahan para sa krimen na ’yan,” Presidential Harry L. Roque Jr. said in his press briefing on Thursday.
(We will make sure that justice will be served; if it was found that Councilor Parojinog did violate our laws, he will be investigated, judged, and punished for his crimes.)
Mr. Bulalacao said Mr. Parojinog is the last of his family members being pursued by the police following the raid on the residence of his brother, Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Sr., in July 2017.
Sixteen were killed in the raid, including Mayor Parojinog. The mayor’s children, Ozamiz City Vice-Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog, Jr., were arrested following that raid.
The Parojinogs were among 160 government officials named in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “narco-list” in 2016. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

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