2017 Ozamiz police raid

At dawn of Sunday, July 30, 2017, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Ozamiz City police conducted a simultaneous raid in the house of the Parojinogs in Ozamiz and other associated properties, leaving 15 person killed including incumbent Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and his wife. Another member of the Parojinog family died in the hospital three days after the raid. Parojinog is the third mayor to be killed during the course of country's war on drugs after Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte eight months prior[6] and Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi-Ampatuan, Maguindanao nine months prior.[7]

2017 Ozamiz police raid

Part of the Philippine Drug War
Date	July 30, 2017 (2017-07-30)
Time	02:30 (PST)
Location	Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental, Philippines
Type	Police raid
Deaths	16[note 1]
Arrests	Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez[2][3] Reynaldo Parojinog, Jr.[2][3] Ricardo "Ardot/Patok" Parojinog[note 2]
Charges	Violation of Sec 11, R.A. 9165; Sec 21, R.A. 10591 and Sec. 3-A, R.A. 9516[5]

Background

Reynaldo Parojinog was among the persons named by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 7, 2016 for alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.[8][9] However, Parojinog has denied any links to illegal drugs.[10]

Incident

On July 30, 2017, 2:30am (PST), the encounter took place at several Parojinog's properties in Barangays Baybay San Roque and Baybay Santa Cruz.[11] The Ozamiz City police and the Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG)-Region 10 issued six search warrants against city mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and two others - for reportedly storing guns in his house, as well as Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, and City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog, the farm houses of Mayor Parojinog, Board Member Parojinog, and one other.[12][13]

Senior Supt. Jaysen de Guzman, head of the Misamis Occidental provincial police office, said that before the CIDG was about to serve a warrant, the Parojinogs' security fired at them, prompting police to retaliate.[12][14][15] Parojinogs' aide Jeffrey Ocang, however, denied that there had been an exchange of gunfire and said "the mayor's camp did not fire a shot."[14] De Guzman said that the clash between the Parojinogs' men lasted two hours, and they managed to breach the mayor's house but were still met by the mayor's resistance.[13] The authorities recovered an M79 rifle, grenades, .45 pistols, about P1.4 million in cash, 500 grams of suspected illegal drugs, two cellphones, and an M16 rifle in the Mayor's house.[16] One shotgun, three rocket propelled grenade launchers, two hand grenades, eight M79 ammunition, and an M79 rifle were recovered from councilor Parojinog.[17] A cellphone video, obtained by GMA News, was recorded during the raid showing Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, Reynaldo's daughter, suddenly getting something from her bag while the police were conducting an inspection in her room inside her house. But the female police caught her doing something and they had to pry open her hands to get the item, which is packet with something white inside recovered from her hand.[18] They immediately put the handcuff on her.[18] The police found in the Parojinog-Echavez's home: 10 plastic sachets of crystal meth (“shabu”), 50 pieces of rolled aluminum foil, 500 pieces of P1,000 bills, 1,800 pieces of P500 bills, one M16 Blackwater rifle, one M16 magazine and 13 live ammunition for M16.[19]

The resulting incident killed all 15 people including Reynaldo Parojinog Sr.[15] Parojinog-Echavez and her brother Reynaldo Jr. were arrested and transferred to the national police headquarters at Camp Crame in Manila.[20]

Aftermath

Ozamiz City police chief Jovie Espenido admitted in the media that they had destroyed the CCTV cameras installed in the house in order to protect the identities of the informants who helped them in the operation.[21] However, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa states that the way of destroying the CCTV cameras are "wrong".[21] Espenido recounted that the Philippine National Police conducted before dawn to avoid more casualties.[22] Vice Mayor Parojinog-Echavez appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte and the Senate to investigate the deaths of 15 including four of her family members.[23]

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), on July 31, launched its investigation for the deaths of the Parojinog.[24] Dela Rosa said that the death of the Parojinogs "serve as a warning to mayors with links to drugs" and the Mayors are warned not to fight back to the police when they knocked at their door.[25] The Parojinog camp will file a case against the CIDG for lapsing the 36-hour validity of Nova Princess and Reynaldo Parojinog Jr., who should have been released from detention. The CIDG admitted they had encountered a problem in transporting the Parajinog siblings, thus causing the delay.[26]

In an interview on ABS-CBN News, according to former hitman and drug courier known only as alias "Noel", many of his colleagues working for Parojinog gone missing and unable to get home. Noel was sent to Bilibid to get a kilogram of shabu to be delivered to Ozamiz and it was distributed to Reynaldo Parojinog, Sr. and her daughter Nova Princess.[27]

On August 2, Senator Leila de Lima filed a resolution calling for a Senate investigation on the "suspicious" circumstances surrounding the Ozamiz raid.[28] But, Senator Panfilo Lacson said that the Senate investigation will start only if the witnesses are available.[29] Vice President Leni Robredo supported of the call for the investigation.[30] Due to an ultimatum given by Espenido to barangay officials whom allegedly were given illegal firearms from the Parojinogs, left more than 300 firearms surrendered to the Police.[31] A paraffin tests conducted by the Philippine National Police showed that eight (including Mayor Parojinog Sr. and his brother Octavio) of the 15 slain individuals were tested positive for gunpowder burns, indicating they engaged the police.[32]

On August 4, the Department of Justice filed criminal cases against Parojinog siblings. Reynaldo Jr, faced cases of possession of dangerous drugs, illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.[33]

The motion filed by the Parojinog siblings to attend the wake of their parents and other family members on August 13 has been denied by Ozamiz Regional Trial Court.[34] A drug test conducted on August 15 showed that the Parojinog siblings were tested negative in drug use.[35]

Disputed statements

The police statement of the raid incident have been disputed by the Parojinog family and its eyewitness:

Parojinog-Echavez said that the police "planted" the evidence of contraband that they seized,[36] but the allegation was denied by de Guzman.[37]

An unnamed survivor and a relative of the Parojinogs said in TV interviews that there was no exchange of gunfire as the police invades and started shooting everyone inside the mayor's house. Despite the insistence of the authorities that it is a legitimate operation, a mayor's neighbor said that it was a "massacre".[38] One unidentified eyewitness appeared, said that the police thrown a grenade to the Parojinogs' men, but according to Espenido, a grenade exploded as a Parojinog bodyguard tried to toss it at the approaching police officers.[38][39]

Another eyewitness named 'Joe', via the phone interview on ABS-CBN News, this time at the house of Councilor Ricardo 'Ardot' Parojinog, said that the police planted the explosives at the house while drug paraphernalia planted at his room.[40]

Reactions

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed concern over the death of Mayor Parojinog. He stressed that the circumstances of the incident are similar to the fate of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr., who was killed on November 2016. Drilon states that:

"Why are search warrants, served before dawn as in the cases of Mayor Espinosa and now, Mayor Parojinog, result in the deaths of the persons being searched? Both are tagged as drug lords. Too much of a coincidence?"[41]

However, it clearly states that the search warrant could serve anytime.[42]

Senator Panfilo Lacson said that "at least" the Parojinogs were not killed while inside a detention facility. Lacson also said that Octavio Parojinog Sr., the father of Mayor Parojinog and board member Octavio Jr., was the founder of Kuratong Baleleng, an organized crime syndicate based in Mindanao.[43] On August 1, de Lima, through the handwritten statement, said that the raid were “massacre” and a “plain and simple extermination” of Duterte's former comrades in vigilantism.[44] Senator Antonio Trillanes, a Duterte critic, described the killings as a “rub-out”, stating it is another proof of how Duterte's policy flouts human rights, due process and the rule of law and further reinforces the crime cases filed against him.[45] Magdalo Party-list Rep. and another Duterte critic, Gary Alejano called the raid "highly suspicious".[46]

See also

• Philippine Drug War
• Death of Rolando Espinosa
• Rodrigo Duterte's August 7, 2016 speech

Notes

1. 15 died in the July 30 raid. Another member of the Parojinog family a nephew died in the hospital.[1]
2. He was arrested in Taiwan on May 24, 2018 after 10 months of hiding.[4]

References

1. "Ozamiz death toll now at 16". SunStar Cagayan de Oro.
2. "Ozamiz mayor, 11 others killed in drug raid". Manila Bulletin. July 30, 2017.
3. Reformina, Ina (August 10, 2017). "2 Ozamiz judges plan to inhibit from Parojinog trials". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
4. "Fugitive Councilor Ardot Parojinog nabbed in Taiwan". Rappler.
5. "Criminal charges filed vs Parojinogs". The Philippine Star.
6. "Albuera Mayor Espinosa killed in jail operation". Rappler.
7. "Maguindanao mayor on Duterte drug list killed in shootout". Rappler.
8. "Ozamiz mayor, 14 others killed in predawn police raid". GMA News. July 30, 2017.
9. FULL TRANSCRIPT: Duterte's exposé vs drug-tagged officials". ABS-CBN News. 7 August 2016.
10. "Ozamiz mayor, 14 others killed in drug raid". SunStar Cagayan de Oro. July 30, 2017.
11. "Ozamiz City Mayor, 14 others killed in exchange of gunfire with police". CNN Philippines.
12. "Ozamiz City Mayor Parojinog, 13 others dead as cops raid houses, farms". News5.
13. "Ozamiz mayor, 14 others killed in predawn police raid". GMA News.
14. "Ozamiz mayor Parojinog killed in police raid". Rappler.
15. "Mayor Parojinog killed in Ozamiz raid; daughter arrested — police". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
16. "Ozamiz mayor was staunch anti-drug advocate – relative". Rappler.
17. "UPDATE 3: Ozamiz City mayor, several others killed in police raid". The Manila Times.
18. "Cellphone video shows Ozamiz vice mayor tried to hide an item during raid". GMA News.
19. "Raps recommended vs Parojinog siblings". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
20. "Arrested Ozamiz vice mayor, brother transferred to Manila". ABS-CBN News.
21. "Dela Rosa: 'Paralyzed' CCTVs during Parojinog raid 'wrong'". Rappler.
22. "Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido recounts operation vs Parojinogs". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
23. "'KILALA N'YA ANG PAPA KO' - Watch: Parojinog daughter asks Duterte to probe killing of Ozamiz mayor, 14 others". News5.
24. "CHR investigates raid that led to Parojinog death". Rappler.
25. "Parojinog death a warning to other mayors – Dela Rosa". Rappler.
26. "Parojinog camp to sue CIDG over delayed inquest proceedings". UNTV News.
27. —Translated from Google.—
    Already 'alias' Noel', former 'catapult' and drug trafficker for the Parojinog family were present in ABS-CBN News. According to Noel, more and more colleagues working for the Parojinog are now missing and unable to get home. Noel worked for the Parojinog for 20 years. He said he was sent to the Bilibid to get a kilogram of shabu delivered to Ozamiz. When it comes to Ozamiz, Parojinog distributes illegal drugs. Among them were Ozamiz city mayor Reynaldo "Aldong" Parojinog, Sr. And his son vice mayor Nova Princess Parojinog. The mayor was killed in a raid on his house on Sunday, July 30. While his son, Nova Princess, was arrested. Family operations are not just illegal drugs. They are also calling for a hoax. Noel also tried to kill and chop the bodies of people who were not in line with the Parojinog. Because of fear, Noel did not have to leave the family office. When the people did not obey the Parojinog command, they were put to death. Noel also warned that the Parojinogs had hidden weapons against captains, government employees and close family friends. According to Ozamiz City Police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, since June, has left more than 200 firearms on them from Parojinog (ABS-CBN News)
28. "De Lima seeks Senate probe on 'suspicious' Ozamiz raid". GMA News.
29. "Lacson: Senate to probe Ozamiz raid if witnesses are available". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
30. "Robredo backs Parojinog slay inquiry". The Manila Times.
31. "'Parojinog allies' surrender almost 300 guns to Ozamiz City cops after raid". GMA News.
32. "Mayor Parojinog, 7 others test positive for powder burns". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
33. "Criminal cases vs. Parojinog siblings filed with Ozamiz court". GMA News.
34. Parojinog siblings can't attend parents' wake, burial. Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original.
35. "Detained Parojinog siblings test negative for illegal drug use". SunStar Manila.
36. "Arestadong Ozamiz vice mayor, iginiit na 'itinanim' ng pulis ang drogang nasamsam ("Arrested Ozamiz vice mayor argued that the police had 'planted' the drug that was seized")". ABS-CBN News.
37. "Palace distances Duterte from deadly Parojinog raid". Coconuts Manila.
38. "Probers still have no witnesses in shooting of Ozamiz mayor". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
39. PNP, iginiit na hindi gumamit ng granada sa Ozamiz raid (PNP, insisted that they have not used grenade in Ozamiz raid). In Tagalog. DZXL
40. PANOORIN: Raid sa bahay ng Ozamiz vice mayor at the Wayback Machine (archived 2017-08-06). Archived from the original. ABS-CBN News
41. "Deaths after nighttime warrants suspicious – Drilon". Rappler.
42. "WATCH - PNP's Dela Rosa: Court did not specify time to serve Parojinog search warrant". News5.
43. "At least Parojinogs were not killed in detention, Lacson says". GMA News.
44. "De Lima: Ozamiz raid a 'massacre, extermination of Duterte's ex-vigilante comrades'". GMA News.
45. "In Philippines, Doubts About Police Raid That Killed a Mayor". The New York Times. August 1, 2017.
46. "Alejano says Parojinog a big fish but laments 'implications to democracy". Philippine Daily Inquirer.