Promulgation of Parojinog case set May 31

FILE: Mugshot of Reynaldo Parojinog, Jr. (Photo By Eunice Samonte via PTV/Facebook)

MANILA — The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) is set to decide by the end of May on the case of Reynaldo E. Parojinog Jr., a member of the Ozamiz Cty-based Parojinog drug cartel and one of the survivors of the shootout with policemen on the family’s lair in July 2017.

In her order dated May 16, RTC Branch 79 Judge Nadine Jessica Corazon J.

Fama said the case is considered submitted for decision after the defense rested its case.

“The promulgation of this case is set on May 31, 2019 at 10:30 in the morning,” Fama ruled.

In a separate order, the magistrate also denied the motion filed by Parojinog’s counsels asking that raw video footages and photographs be subpoenaed from personnel of the Mindanao Broadcasting Channel (MBC).

The judge ruled that the purpose of the sought subpoena is meant only to belatedly amplify the evidence of the defense that one of the police officers on the scene, Patrolwoman Sheila Bolonias, lingered on the scene during and after the service of the warrant.

“The defense has nothing to refute,” said the judge, explaining that Bolonias’ testimony did not differ from the official account.

Parojinog claimed the sought subpoena would clarify his condition as well as his companions before and during the implementation of the search warrant.

Parojinog Jr. is the sibling of Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and the son of Ozamiz City drug lord Mayor Reynaldo Sr.

The Parojinog patriarch, along with 15 others, died in an encounter with police operatives serving a search warrant for weapons on their properties and was the third mayor and known drug coddler who has died in the war on drugs.

On July 30, 2017, several of Parojinog’s properties in Barangays Baybay San Roque and Baybay Santa Cruz were raided by he Ozamiz City police and the Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG)-Region 10 serving six search warrants against the Parojinogs.

Police said the Parojinogs’ security fired at them, prompting police to return fire.

Authorities recovered a cache of high powered firearms and pistols, cash and packets of shabu.