Nova Parojinog Echaves and Reynaldo Parojinog Jr.
Detained Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog Echaves and her brother, Reynaldo Jr., were formally indicted on Friday for drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said the criminal charges against the Parojinog siblings were lodged before the Regional Trial Court in Ozamiz.
The two were arrested in police operations on July 30 which led to the killing of their father, Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, their mother Susan and 13 others.
At the same time, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II placed Ricardo “Arthur” Parojinog, a city councilor of Ozamiz, under the immigration watchlist to monitor his whereabouts.
Ricardo is a brother of Reynaldo, who was identified by President Duterte as one of the government officials in his so-called “narcolist” for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Flight risk
According to Aguirre, Ricardo was also a “subject of the investigation,” but he was not in the houses which the police raided to serve search warrants for unlicensed guns.
“Considering the gravity of the offense possibly committed, there is a strong possibility that [Ricardo] may attempt to place [himself] beyond the reach of the legal processes of this department by leaving the country,” read a portion of Aguirre’s order.
Nova Princess, said to be the girlfriend of convicted robber Herbert Colanggo, is facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.
Reynaldo Jr., on the other hand, was indicted for possession of illegal drugs and three counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions.