PNP to probe Parojinog’s unauthorized furlough in 2018

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will look into why former Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog was allowed to get out of jail in 2018 without a court order.

PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said this on Tuesday after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court ordered the jail warden of the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame to explain Parojinog’s reported unauthorized furlough in 2018.

“We will look into that kasi, when I was the chief directorial staff, it’s actually the TCDS who can actually allow visitors,” Gamboa said at a press conference in Camp Crame.

Gamboa said during his stint as TCDS, detainees can only leave the custodial center or from a hospital detention if there is a court order.

“Hindi puwedeng discretion ng custodial officers so we will investigate on that,” he said.

Parojinog is facing drug charges for violating Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 for possession of dangerous drugs. She is facing another case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in violation of Section 28 of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

She was arrested, along with her brother Reynaldo Parojinog, Jr., during simultaneous raids by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in July 2017 in Ozamiz City, where their father, Reynaldo Sr. was killed, along with 14 others.

Reynaldo Jr. was later on meted with life imprisonment for the 2017 drug bust where authorities confiscated almost 117 grams of crystal meth or “shabu.”

In the order of the QC RTC Branch 228, the jail warden and Parojinog’s lawyers, were given five days to explain why they should not be cited for contempt of court.

Last Nov. 12, 2018, Parojinog was able to visit her brother sans proper authority from the court.