Fugitive Ozamiz City dad ‘Ardot’ Parojinog arrested in Taiwan

FIREPOWER High-powered firearms allegedly kept by Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo Parojinog previously seized by policemen after a raid on a security agency office and an inn. (JESREL HIMANG/CONTRIBUTOR)

After 10 months of being on the loose, Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog has been arrested by authorities in Taiwan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao confirmed to reporters the arrest of Parojinog, the younger brother of slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. He was being hunted down for his alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade as well as other unlawful activities.

Bulalacao said councilor Parojinog tried to enter Taiwan using illegal immigration documents. His arrest came five days after the police raided his office and inn in Ozamiz City, where a cache of high-powered firearms and illegal drugs were recovered.

READ: Raid on Parojinog office, inn yields firearms cache

On Tuesday, a known Parojinog lawyer, former Ozamiz City prosecutor Geronimo Marave Jr., was assassinated.

In September last year, President Rodrigo Duterte offered a P5-million bounty for the arrest of the city councilor, who has been in hiding since the bloody raid that killed Mayor Parojinog, his wife Susan, and 14 others.

READ: Duterte offers P5-M reward for Ardot Parojinog’s capture

The operation resulted in the arrest of Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, and her brother, Reynaldo Jr.

Members of the Parojinog family have been linked to illegal drugs deals and other illicit undertakings.            /kga