Parojinog killings ‘show renewed zeal vs. drugs’
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he was surprised with the death of Ozamiz city Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., his wife and several others.
He said it was surprising because police operations like the one against the Parojinog family used to happen only during the earlier days of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Osmeña said this goes to show that the president has renewed the drive against illegal activities.
“I thought if something like that would happen it would be earlier, not now. I guess the president has renewed the drive against whatever criminality. I heard from a Mindanao governor that the president is furious because there are many LGUs (local government units) involved in drugs,” he told reporters.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III yesterday also said Duterte is serious in his drive against illegal drugs. The president doesn’t care if those involved are mayors or not.
Davide said Duterte has a long list of politicians allegedly involved in narco-politics.
This is also the reason the President wants to postpone again the barangay election to prevent narco-politics from financing candidates.
When asked if the campaign against drugs can be abused, Davide cited the case of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. who was under police surveillance with credible reports against him.
Parojinog was killed along with his wife and several others during a joint raid of city police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
“I don’t think the President will order the PNP (Philippine National Police) to conduct raids or go after drug personalities without basis,” Davide said.
Parojinog was mentioned by Duterte in his speeches in the past months.
“We can say that President Duterte is serious about eradicating illegal drugs,” Davide said.