Ozamiz raid probe begins
CAGAYAN DE ORO - A team from the Regional Internal Affairs Service (Rias)-Northern Mindanao began its ocular inspections Thursday, August 3, at the houses of the Parojinogs in Ozamiz City, four days after the deadly police operations that killed Mayor Reynaldo “Aldong” Parojinog Sr. and 15 others.
The Rias-Northern Mindanao had launched a probe on the pre-dawn raids made to serve six search warrants against the mayor and three other members of the Parojinog family for alleged illegal possession of firearms.
The raid was led by Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz City police chief, and also involved the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Senior Superintendent Gerry Galvan, Rias-Northern Mindanao chief, led the one-day ocular inspection to personally see the areas where the supposed shootout took place.
“Tapos na tayo mag ocular inspection tiningnan namin yung mga lugar na nagkaroon ng barilan during sa pag-serve ng search warrant,” Galvan said.
“Gusto lang namin makita yung scene kasi yung technicality ang Soco (Scene of the Crime Operatives) ang nakapagaral,” he said.
The team also interviewed residents of the neighborhood but said none were able to witness the shootout as people were either sleeping or were unable to see anything on account of the blackout just before the supposed gunfight.
But Galvan said their office is open and willing to accommodate anyone who will stand as a witness to the alleged irregularities of the operation.
“Nakausap namin yung isang konsehala na kaparty ni mayor at sinabihan namin na kung may witnesses bukas ang ating opisina para makapagbigay sila ng statement,” he said.
“Di ko masabi kung meron silang witness kasi ang sabi sa amin maghihintay daw sila sa desisyon ng magkapatid na naaresto,” Galvan said.
The Rias-Northern Mindanao chief said they have yet to receive the complete after operation report from the police who executed the search warrants. SS-CDO