Ozamiz still reeling from Parojinog era

By FROILAN GALLARDO
Special Correspondent

OZAMIZ City — Seven months after the brutal killing of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 of his relatives, Ozamiz is trying to move away from its violent past.
Acting mayor Girlette Luansing said they are hoping their new thrusts on tourism will change the violent image of the city.
“Ozamiz was never a good tourist destination before because of the violent image of the Parojinogs,” Luansing said.
Luansing has partnered with the Department of Tourism to help them make the city attractive to tourists.
She said they are improving the city’s main attraction, the old Spanish fort Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo and the shrine of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and of the Triumph of the Cross of Panguil Bay, to cater to tourists and pilgrims.
Luansing said they are also asking local restaurants to come out with new cuisine to attract the visitors to the city.
She said their goal is not far off since two flights from Manila and another one from Cebu regularly flies to Ozamiz daily.
Luansing was appointed to replace Parojinog who, along with 14 of his relatives, were killed in a series of bloody police raids last July 30.
Her daughter, Nova, who was his vice mayor, was also arrested and detained.
President Duterte named the Parojinogs as among the local government officials involved in the drug trade.