(Eagle News) — The Palace on Thursday, May 24, welcomed the arrest of Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo Parojinog following his escape from a police raid last year that left 16, including his brother Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., dead.
“Ito po’y mabuting balita,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said of the councilor’s arrest by Taiwanese authorities after he tried to enter the country using illegal documents.
“Sabi po nga nila, flight is evidence of guilt,” Roque said.
According to Roque, the government would make sure the councilor would be punished if he committed a crime.
“Sisiguraduhin naman po natin na magkakaroon ng katarungan, kung merong nalabag na batas itong si Councilor Parojinog, siya po ay iimbestigahan, ililitis at paparusahan para sa krimen na ‘yan,” he said.
The councilor’s arrest came days after police seized a cache of high-powered firearms and drugs in his inn and security agency in Pagadian City.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier implicated the Parojinogs in illegal drug activities, and offered a P5-million bounty for the capture of the councilor when he escaped last year’s raid.
During the raid, the councilor’s niece, Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog. and nephew, Reynaldo Parojinog Jr., were arrested.