DOJ to probe cops in Ozamiz raid

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has summoned to an investigation Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, the police officer who led the successful operations against a local crime group in Ozamiz City.

Espenido went to the DOJ on Thursday, August 10, to receive the complaint filed against him by a relative of Carmelita Manzan, one of the nine fatalities in the police operations.

The DOJ earlier issued a subpoena against Espenido and three other cops to attend a preliminary investigation on August 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.

They were also directed to submit their counter-affidavit before the DOJ panel of prosecutors.

Espenido and three other police were accused of violating Article 124 or arbitrary detention and Article 248 or murder under the Revised Penal Code.

The complaint stemmed from the series of raids in Cabinti and Balintawak villages in Ozamiz City that led to the killing of nine suspects and the apprehension of six others who are believed to be involved in the series of robbery and shooting incidents in the city.

Espenido was also the officer who led the raids in the Parojinog residences last July 30 that killed Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., his wife, and 14 others.

The raids also resulted in the arrest of Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Parajinog and brother Reynaldo Jr. over drug related charges.

Espenido also led the operation at the Leyte Subprovincial jail that killed Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa last November 5.

Espenido has received an award from the government for his “accomplishments” in line with the President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. SunStar Philippines