POLICE vehemently denied allegations made by Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez that they have planted illegal drugs, weapons, and other illegal items in their house during the bloody operation that killed her father and 14 others on Sunday.
This came as prosecutors from the Department of Justice prepared to resolve the criminal complaint against the vice mayor and her brother Reynaldo Parojinong Jr..
Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos, police spokesman, said video recordings have shown the vice mayor holding what appears to be a sachet of shabu, an allegation the vice mayor’s lawyer brushed aside.
In the video, she was shown trying to conceal the alleged drugs.
He said the police operation was documented and any allegations against the police should be done in court.
Allegedly seized from the Parojinog residence in San Roque Lawis, Ozamiz City were high-powered rifles, rifle grenades, one kilogram of suspected shabu and P1.4 million in cash.
Earlier, Nova and her Reynaldo Jr., daughter and son of the slain Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. were moved to Camp Crame on Monday for questioning and other procedures.
The elder Parajinog was killed along with his wife Susan, and 13 others during an alleged encounter with police officers at their home early Sunday morning.
The former was earlier named by President Duterte as one of the country’s narco-politicians.
National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa said more narco-politicians would be tracked down and “neutralized” by the police.
Police alleged that about P1.4 million in cash, half a kilo of suspected shabu and firearms were found in the vice mayor’s home alone.
Senior assistant state prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said they were working on a resolution.
The Parojinog siblings are facing a case for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
On Tuesday, prosecutors ruled that the arrest made by the authorities was valid.
During the inquest proceedings at Camp Crame on Tuesday, the two refused to sign a waiver of detention under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code.
Inquest proceedings are conducted when the suspect has been arrested without a warrant. During the proceedings, suspects are informed of the allegations against them, and they will have the option to sign a waiver of detention under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code and undergo preliminary investigation.
Article 125 provides for the period where a suspect has to be delivered to proper judicial authorities — 12 hours for crimes or offenses punishable by light penalties, or their equivalent; 18 hours, for crimes or offenses punishable by correctional penalties, or their equivalent 36 hours, for crimes, or offenses punishable by afflictive or capital penalties, or their equivalent.
Police admitted that there was a delay in making a return of the search warrant to the court.
Under the rules, the officer who served the warrant is required to deliver the property and the inventory to the court of the objects seized during the implementation of the search warrant. The authorities are also required to submit a return of the warrant.
A Quezon City Court issued the search warrant. The police blamed the transport problem for the delay in making the return. (pna)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
