Ozamiz mayor names ‘uncooperative drug lord’

OZAMIZ City–Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. has named one of four alleged drug lords in the city even as he warned them that authorities would really go after them unless they stopped.

Speaking during the flagaising rites at city hall, Parojinog said three of the suspected drug lords went to see him on Sunday, and promised that they would stop their illegal operations and do legitimate business.

He said the fourth suspect was “uncooperative” and did not “surrender” despite his ultimatum.

Parojinog identified the suspect in public. (This paper is withholding the name of the suspect because it is unclear if there is a drugelated case filed against him.)

Parojinog said he identified the man because “I promised media people that I would go public with the names of these drug lords if they failed [to  comply].”

He added: “I’m informing you that the drug lord I am referring to is (name of suspect). Gahig ulo, si (name of suspect).”

The suspect, from Barangay Carmen, is a son of man, known for his links to the local drug trade, who was killed in a shooting incident in Clarin, Misamis Occidental in the the early ’90s.

Parojinog said authorities have started stepping up the campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs here in support of the Duterte administration and the National Police’s anti-crime thrust.

On Friday, law enforcers carried out the “Oplan Tokhang” in San Roque, a barangay here that has been identified by Parojinog as a place “seriously affected” by shabu.

Authorities said they were only after of 11 drug suspects in the barangay but 39, unexpectedly, submitted themselves to the police and promised to change. Some of the suspects came from Barangay Sta. Cruz.

Police said 29 “drug dens” in San Roque were identified and stopped. (gsd-ozamiz bureau)