Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog-Echaves (center) arrives at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 from Ozamiz City. Behind her in a Nike jacket is her brother, Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday has approved the filing of criminal cases against Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog and her brother Reynaldo Jr.
In a 14-page resolution, the Vice Mayor was charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 specifically Section 11 for possession of dangerous drugs.
She is also facing a case for violation of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under Section 28 of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Her brother Reynaldo Jr. was charged with three counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and separate cases for illegal possession of explosives under RA 9516 and possession of dangerous drugs under RA 9165.
The siblings were arrested in simultaneous raids conducted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
READ: Mayor Parojinog killed in Ozamiz raid; daughter arrested — police
Upon the raid conducted at the house of Reynaldo Jr., authorities seized one 12-gauge Armscor shotgun with five pieces of live ammunition at the main gate of the property. Inside the house, authorities seized one unit of Ingram submachine pistol loaded with 10 pieces of live ammunitions, one piece of hand grenade, one unit of Cal .40 pistol Para Ordnance with one magazine loaded with five live ammunition.
Authorities also seized a sling bag containing suspected illegal drugs and paraphernalia, one large heat-sealed plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance, five pieces of medium-sized heat-sealed plastic sachet also containing white crystalline substance, one tic-tac plastic box believed to be containing shabu. Also seized were tooters, rolled aluminum foil, scissors.
In a separate raid, confiscated at the house of the Vice Mayor included various sizes of heat-sealed plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance, disposable lighters, aluminum foils, 500 pieces of P1,000 bills, 1,800 pieces of P500 bills, one sheet of paper containing different numerical entries inside a green bag found under her bedroom.
Authorities also seized one unit of M16 rifle Blackwater, one piece plastic magazine for M16 rifle, one piece fired cartridge case for M16 rife and 13 pieces live ammunition for M16 rifle.
READ: Drugs, guns presented at inquest of Parojinog siblings
The PNP-Crime Laboratory confirmed that the white crystalline substance contains methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu”.
Counsels for the respondents Attys. Ferdinand Topacio and Mark Darwin Camara questioned the delay in the conduct of an inquest proceeding for being beyond the required 36 hours.
Authorities said the delay was excusable because they still had to bring the siblings from Ozamiz to Manila for security reasons. The PNP-CIDG added that the search warrant was also implemented on a Sunday and that the distance and the mode of transport in bringing the siblings to Manila should also be considered.
“After considering the arguments of both parties, we ruled that the delay in bringing the respondents for inquest proceedings was excusable because of the factually unique circumstances,” the DOJ said.
The DOJ noted that the search warrant for the Vice Mayor was for firearms and ammunitions only but the police was not estopped or prohibited from seizing other unlawful items found in the course of the search.
The raiding police testified that the illegal drugs were found in plain view while searching for the firearms.
The resolution was signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro C. Navera and Assistant State Prosecutors Josie Christina T. Dugay and Ethel Rea G. Suril and Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Amor L. Robles. Robles recommended the approval of the resolution. On the other hand, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor and OIC Prosecutor General Severino H. Gaña Jr. approved the resolution. IDL