Sanctions await cops in bloody Ozamiz raid once found guilty of violations

FILE: Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa. (PNA photo)

MANILA, Aug. 1 — If found guilty of violating procedures in the Ozamiz City anti-drug operation which killed suspected narco-politician Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others last Sunday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives can face suspension and other sanctions.

But for the moment, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sees no reason to suspend these officers until investigation of their Internal Affairs Service (IAS) proves otherwise.

He also maintained that the operation is a legitimate one.

An IAS probe is now ongoing to determine on whether police officers in the above-mentioned raid committed any violation in the procedure in serving the arrest warrants.

Case build-up is now ongoing for these individuals, he added.

Earlier, Nova Princess and Reynaldo, Jr., daughter and son of the slain Ozamiz mayor, were transported to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City Monday for questioning and other procedures.

The elder Parajinog was killed along with his wife Susan, and 13 others during an alleged encounter inside the family’s residence in San Roque Lawis early Sunday morning.

The former was earlier pinpointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the country’s drug-lords and narco-politicians.

The PNP chief also clarified that the operation against Parojinog is a legitimate one and stressed that the latter was not targeted for liquidation along with his 14 cohorts.

Dela Rosa stressed that he wanted the mayor alive but the latter’s group tried to put a fight, forcing PNP operatives to fire back.

He also warned individuals or groups cornered by police not to resist so that the situation will not turn bloody.