The fugitive brother of the late Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., one of the local executives in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug list, was arrested Wednesday by Taiwanese immigration authorities.
Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said that Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo Parojinog, the younger brother of Reynaldo, was arrested in Taiwan for violating immigration laws.
“What I can tell you now that is it confirmed that Ardot Parojinog was arrested yesterday [Wednesday] by the Taiwan government for illegal entry,” Bulalacao said, referring to the younger Parojinog by his nickname.
Ardot Parojinog’s arrest came 10 months after he fled Ozamiz City following the death of his brother Reynaldo and his wife Susan and 14 others in a raid by PNP operatives in September last year.
President Duterte has offered a P5-million bounty for Ardot’s arrest.
Last week, police raided his office and lodging house in Ozamis City and seized a cache of firearms and illegal drugs.
The Ozamiz City councilor was being hunted for his alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade and complicity to other unlawful acts.
On Tuesday, a known Parojinog prosecutor, Geronimo Marave Jr., was assassinated.
Bulalacao could not say how long it would take for the Taiwan authorities to deport Parojinog.
“It is not yet definite [referring to deportation] because the process may take long depending on how fast the Taiwan government could process the deportation of Parojinog,” Bulalacao said.
Malacañang welcomed the arrest.
“This is good news,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing in Marawi City.
Parojinog, younger brother of slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., was reportedly arrested as he tried to enter Taiwan with illegal immigration documents.
Roque said Parojinog will have to face the court of justice to determine if he was indeed involved in illegal drugs trades and other illicit activities.
“For the residents of the city of Parojinog, we will make sure that justice will be served. He will be investigated and punished if he really violated the law,” Roque said.
He encouraged Ozamiz residents to coordinate with the police if they have complaints against Parojinog.
Parojinog is said to be detained in Ping Tung in the southernmost part of Taiwan, and will face the county prosecutor, sources said.
He is being held incommunicado by Taiwan authorities while he is under investigation for illegal entry, falsified documents, and other possible criminal activities while in Taiwan. With PNA
