DOJ finds probable cause to indict Parojinog siblings 

Government prosecutors have found basis to file criminal cases in court against Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. following the deadly police raid on their residences Sunday.

In a resolution dated August 2, the panel of prosecutors found probable cause to charge Nova with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and possession of dangerous drugs.

Reynaldo Jr., on the other hand, would face charges for illegal possession of dangerous drugs, firearms and ammunition and illegal possession of explosives.

The resolution was prepared by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera and Assistant State Prosecutors Josie Christina Dugay and Ethel Rea Suril and was approved by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Severino Gaña Jr., the officer-in-charge of the Office of the Prosecutor General.

Nova, Reynaldo Jr. and several other occupants of the Parojinog residence                 were arrested after policemen served them warrants for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, after which a firefight ensued during which Nova's father, Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., her mother, and 14 others were killed.

Based on the inventory presented by the Philippine National Police as evidence, the DOJ said seized from Nova's residence were an M16 rifle, one piece plastic magazine for M16 rifle, one piece fired cartridge case for M16 rifle and 13 pieces live ammunition for M16 rifle.

Policemen found illegal drugs in the house of Nova and in the residence of Reynaldo Jr.

Also seized from Reynaldo Jr.'s house were a hand grenade and several firearms and ammunition.

The PNP Firearms and Licensing Division also said Nova and Reynaldo Jr. were not licensed firearm owners.

According to the DOJ, even if the police officers were supposed to search for firearms and ammunition, the policemen are not prohibited from "seizing other unlawful items in the course of the search."

"Under the plain view doctrine, objects falling in the 'plain view' of an officer, who has a right to be in a position to have that view, are subject to seizure and may be presented as evidence," the resolution stated.

'Illegal'

The vice mayor, however, claimed that the raid was illegal and that the authorities planted evidence against them.

The Parojinog camp earlier called for the siblings' immediate release due to the failure of authorities to file charges within 36 hours from the time of their arrest on Sunday morning.

But the DOJ ruled that the case was proper for inquest and the arrest of the Parojinog siblings was valid.

Prosecutors gave weight to the arguments of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) that they had to bring the Parojinogs from Ozamiz to Manila for security reasons and for the return the service of warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 89 and make an inventory of seized items.

"These factors as well as that the search warrant was implemented on a Sunday, the distance and the mode of transport used in bringing respondents to Manila, taken together, supposedly constitute extenuating circumstances which allow for the relaxation of the 12-18-36 hour rule [for the period of conduct of inquest proceedings]," the resolution stated.

"After considering the arguments of both parties, we ruled that the delay in bringing the respondents for inquest proceedings was excusable because of the factually unique circumstances."

The siblings, who have yet to comment on the impending indictment, are currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News