MANILA — Malacañang on Thursday welcomed the arrest of fugitive Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo ‘Ardot’ Parojinog in Taiwan.
“This is good news,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing in Marawi City.
Parojinog, younger brother of slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., was reportedly arrested as he tried to enter Taiwan with illegal immigration documents.
Ardot has been hiding since the anti-drug raid where his brother and 14 others, including the mayor’s wife Susan, were killed July last year.
Mayor Parojinog, Ardot Parojinog and Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog have been named in the “narco list” of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“What he is doing in Taiwan? Is he hiding? What is he doing there if he did not violate any law. As they said, flight is evidence of guilt,” Roque said.
He said Councilor Parojinog will have to face the court of justice to determine if he was indeed involved in illegal drugs trades and other illicit activities.
“For the residents of the city of Parojinog, we will make sure that justice will be served. He will be investigated and punished if he really violated the law,” Roque said.
Roque said Parojinog is expected to be brought at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City upon his arrival from Taiwan.
He encouraged Ozamiz residents to coordinate with police authorities if they have complaints against Parojinog “so that case will be filed against him”.
In September last year, Duterte offered a PHP5-million bounty for the capture of Councilor Parojinog. (PNA)
