Duterte admin can’t protect you for life, Chiz tells cops tagged in slays

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday reminded abusive policemen that the Duterte administration cannot protect them for life, as he questioned the circumstances of the predawn police raids in Ozamiz City, which led to the deaths of 15 people including Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.

In a television interview, Escudero said Ozamiz police should explain why it served search warrants before dawn Sunday and whether “overpowering forces” were used by authorities.

“These will all be short-lived. I hope our police officers will not have short memories. Yung dalawampung taon nga ni Marcos, natapos din eh,” Escudero said, referring to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

“The term of the incumbent administration is only for six years, so whatever it is they’re enjoying right now, if they violate any of our existing laws, they would have to face it anyway after six years, in this case after five years. So, huwag sila masyadong mag-isip na protektado sila habambuhay,” he said.

Escudero said it does not help that President Rodrigo Duterte himself has “emboldened” the Philippine National Police (PNP) in so far as the drug war is concerned.

Escudero however said it was still too early to conclude that Ozamiz police abused their power in the incident.

“Hindi pa ako nakahandang sabihin ‘yon pero siguro dapat magpaliwanag pa at mag-esplika pa ang kapulisan kung ano nga ba ang nangyari, bakit nagkaganon?” Escudero said.

“Hindi naman pwedeng we were met by a valley of fire and everyone is killed and nobody is killed in our side. They should I think be more detailed in their explanation in the next couple of hours or days,” he added.

Misamis Occidental PPO chief Senior Superintendent Jaysen de Guzman earlier said that the police officers were met by a volley of gunfire as they were about to enter the Parojinogs' compound at around 2:30 a.m.

In a press conference, Ozamiz City police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido also said that the police conducted the raid at that early hour to minimize the risk of children or bystanders being used as human shields.

The police authorities had six warrants to search the houses of Mayor Parojinog, his daughter Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, Board Member Parojinog, City Councilor Ricardo Parojinog, and one other for loose firearms.

Vice Mayor Parojinog-Echavez and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. were brought to Manila on Monday for processing at Camp Crame. — BM, GMA News