(Eagle News) — The Ozamiz Regional Trial Court on Friday denied the motions for furlough filed by Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess and her brother, Reynaldo Jr., to attend what they said was the last vigil for their late parents and kin on Sunday, Aug. 13, and their burial the following day.
In denying the Parojinog siblings’ motion, Executive Judge Edmundo Pintac gave weight to the recommendations of the Ozamiz police, which he said was in the “better, if not best position” to make an assessment, “it being equipped with the necessary means and resources.”
The judge also took note of the contents of a confidential report given to him by Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz chief of police.
While Pintac did not disclose the specific contents of the report, he said it “contains facts and circumstances gathered by the intelligence which the police interpreted to mean as strongly suggesting that a daring and bloody rescue of the accused would be carried out once the accused (were) allowed furlough.”
“Additionally, the court takes notice that emotions are high between people who are sympathetic to the accused-movants and people who are against them. The court is overly concerned for good reason that the presence of the accused-movants would provide the spark that would ignite and cause those emotions to erupt and for the opposing sides to turn violent and clash against each other, thereby endangering the security and safety of the accused-movants,” he said.
“The court chooses the path of caution..In view of the foregoing consideration, the motions for furlough are hereby denied,” he concluded.
The Parojinog siblings were arrested in July, following a police raid that saw their parents–Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and Susan–and other family members and supporters killed.
The police said they were forced to retaliate after they were met by a volley of fire in the Parojinog residences while they were implementing search warrants.
Criminal charges have been filed against the siblings, whose family is believed to be involved also in the illegal drug trade.
