Parojinogs lay down firearms

By FROILAN GALLARDO
of Mindanews

OZAMIZ Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and his children surrendered 16 high-powered firearms, including several M16 Bushmaster assault rifles, to the National Police on Monday, Camp Alagar said yesterday.

Supt. Surki Serenas, Camp Alagar spokesman, said the act meant that Parojinog, his daughter Nova Princess Echavez and son Ricardo complied with the PNP directive to surrender their firearms.

Echavez is Ozamiz’s vice mayor while Ricardo is a councilor.

Serenas said aside from the Bushmaster rifles, the surrendered firearms included FN assault rifles, Socom II; AK 45, Glock; and Para Ordnance pistols.

President Duterte has linked Parojinog and 17 other mayors in Mindanao to the illegal drugs trade.

National Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa revoked the licenses of all firearms issued to Parojinog and his family during his visit at the at Camp Alagar here on Friday.

Police director for northern Mindanao  Chief Supt. Noel Constantino then stripped Parojinog of his control of the police force in Ozamiz City.

Constantino also ordered the immediate recall of all police officers assigned as security escorts to Parojinog and his family.

“For now, they can employ the services of private security guards and protective agents duly authorized by ‘Sosia’ and approved by the PNP,” Constantino said.

The police in Region 10 said Clarin, Misamis Occidental Mayor David Navarro, who was also in Duterte’s list, also surrendered his firearms on Monday.

“This is a fair warning to those in the Duterte’s list but who refused to comply with the order to surrender their firearms. They will face possible arrest for illegal possession of firearms, Serenas said.