PNP chief says armed group from Lanao planning to retaliate against Ozamiz cops

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday said they have received an information about an armed group's plan to "retaliate" against the Ozamiz City police.

Dela Rosa said in a press conference in Camp Crame that based on the information, two boats loaded with armed men from Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte are heading to Ozamiz City.

"May mga information na meron daw dalawang bangka na naggaling sa Kolambugan or sa Lanao del Norte na papunta raw sa Ozamiz para reresbak," he said.

He hinted that the armed men are members of the Kuratong Baleleng group.

"So sabihin ko sa mga Kuratong Baleleng na 'yan na bring it on," Dela Rosa said.

The Kuratong Baleleng was founded by Octavio "Ongkoy" Parojinog Sr., father of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP chief, said the Kuratong Baleleng group had evolved into a criminal syndicate engaged in robbery, extortion and kidnapping activities.

The mayor, who is being linked to the Kuratong Baleleng group, was among the 16 people killed by policemen in simultaneous raids last July 30.

Dela Rosa said that he had told Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz City police chief, to try to goad those who want to retaliate against the police by walking in the city's downtown unarmed.

"Sabi ko sige maglakad ka dyan. Huwag kang magdala ng armas para maipakita talaga iyong tapang nitong mga taong ito. Bring it on," he said.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa challenged members of the Parojinog clan to file charges against Espenido and other policemen involved in the deadly raids.

A "survivor" had claimed that policemen, led by Espenido, planted firearms and other pieces of evidence supposedly recovered from the house of the slain mayor.

He also claimed that those killed during the raids were executed by policemen.

The Parojinog family had also said that they were able to get hold of a CCTV camera recording from the house of Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez that would prove policemen planted evidence. —ALG, GMA News