A police team is scheduled to leave for Taiwan today to fetch and bring back Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog to Manila after two months of detention following his arrest by immigration authorities last May 23.
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde, however, could not provide specific details of his repatriation.
His return surfaced through leaked reports from unknown sources, but Albayalde would not confirm it except to say “still a plan but that’s a big possibility.”
Parojinog, brother of the late Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., one of the local executives in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug list, was arrested last May 23 in Taiwan after violating immigration laws.
His arrest in Taiwan came 10 months after he deserted Ozamiz City following the death of his brother Reynaldo and his wife Susan and 14 others in a raid by PNP operatives last September.
Prior to his arrest in Taiwan, the Ozamiz City councilor was being hunted for his alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade and complicity in other unlawful acts in his turf.
Albayalde said the Taiwan-bound police team would be composed of at least three people to escort-back Parojinog to Manila and would be eventually heavily guarded upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Upon his arrival, Albayalde said Parojinog would be subjected to booking procedures, medical examination and subsequently transferred to the concerned court that issued the warrant for his arrest.
Albayalde said Parojinog’s repatriation would be considered vital to investigators particularly matters relating to who facilitated his travel to Taiwan.
Probers would also try to unravel his potential networks and the magnitude of the illegal drugs trade.
The PNP, Albayalde said, would provide enough security escorts for Parojinog’s safety.