MANILA, Aug. 7 — Philippine National Police head Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa dared members of the “Kuratong Baleleng” group to make good their threat of getting even against the police raiding team responsible for killing suspected narco-politician Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others last July 30.
“I even told (Ozamiz City Police officer-in-charge Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido) to walk around town without any weapons,” he added in Filipino, as he said Espenido and members of the PNP were not afraid and would do their duty regardless of the risk.
Dela Rosa made the comment after receiving reports that two boats, allegedly coming from Lanao Del Norte and carrying heavily-armed men, were spotted somewhere in Ozamiz City recently.
The alleged hitmen were reportedly members of the “Kuratong Baleleng” group and very loyal to the Parojinogs, the purported founder of the group. Parojinog was earlier pinpointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the country’s drug-lords and narco-politicians.
A PNP paraffin test earlier showed that the slain politician was found positive for gunpowder nitrates along with seven others.
As this develop, Espenido will receive a special award from the PNP on Wednesday, the organization’s 116th founding anniversary, for his accomplishments against the illegal drug menace.