MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the filing of criminal charges against Parojinog siblings Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess and Reynaldo Jr. following the July 30 police raid on the family’s residences that resulted in the death of their father, Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., and 15 others.
In a 15-page Joint Inquest Resolution on the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), which was signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro C. Navera, the DOJ found probable cause to charge the siblings with non-bailable offenses.
Nova Princess will face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and dangerous drugs while Reynaldo Jr. will be slapped with three counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and illegal possession of explosives and dangerous drugs.
Suspected narcotics, drug paraphernalia, weapons found in siblings’ properties
During the July 30 police search on Nova Princess’ property in Brgy. San Roque, Ozamiz, authorities said the following items suspected to be narcotics and drug paraphernalia were recovered:
One big plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance; two medium plastic sachets also containing white crystalline substance; seven small plastic sachets with white crystalline substance; two disposable lighters; and 50 pieces of rolled aluminum foil.
Also found in Nova’s residence were 500 pieces of P1,000 bills; 1,800 pieces of P500 bills; one piece of paper containing different numeric entries placed inside a green bag; one M16 Blackwater rifle; one plastic magazine for M16 rifle; one fired cartridge case for M16; and 13 pieces live ammunition for M16 rifle.
The search on Reynaldo Jr.’s property in Purok 2, Baybay, Brgy. Santa Cruz, Ozamiz yielded the following:
One 12-gauge Armscor shotgun with five pieces of ammunition; one Ingram submachine pistol made in Canada with one piece of magazine loaded with 10 pieces live ammunition; one hand grenade; and one .40-caliber pistol Para Ordnance with one magazine loaded with five live ammunition.
Also found in his property were: one black sling bag containing suspected illegal drugs and paraphernalia; one large plastic sachet with white crystalline substance; five medium sachets also containing white crystalline substance; one Tic Tac plastic box containing substance believed to be shabu; 3 small sachets with white crystalline substance; four improvised tooter; 44 pieces of empty plastic cellophane; one small light blue plastic box with 26 pieces of rolled aluminum foil; one piece of tong; and a pair of scissors.
Arrest, detention valid
The same DOJ resolution stated that the siblings’ arrest and detention were valid. The DOJ was able to immediately issue its ruling on the PNP-CIDG’s complaint against Nova Princess and Reynaldo Jr. after the siblings waived their right to preliminary investigation.
After the July 30 raid on their residences in Ozamiz, Nova Princess and Reynaldo Jr. were arrested by authorities and detained at the PNP Custodial Center Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The siblings questioned their detention at Camp Crame as the crimes they were accused of were allegedly committed in Ozamiz and not in Metro Manila.
“It should be the venue of the crime, where the alleged crime was committed. The alleged crime, I think, is illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and who knows, maybe drugs, but those were confiscated in Ozamiz so the trial should be there,” said the siblings’ lawyer Lawrence Carin.
They also demanded their release from detention after authorities failed to file charges against them 36 hours after their arrest.
According to Nova’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, the siblings were arrested on July 30, Sunday, at 6 a.m. Thus, the 36-hour deadline to file a complaint had lapsed at 6 p.m., July 31, Monday.
Under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, a suspect arrested without a warrant in criminal cases punishable by afflictive or capital penalties or their equivalent must be charged within 36 hours.
But the DOJ in its resolution sided with the PNP-CIDG.
According to the complainant, the inquest proceedings on the siblings were delayed because of security concerns that prompted authorities to bring Nova and Reynaldo Jr. to Manila.
