Espenido back in Ozamiz City to deal with 'unfinished business'

Controversial Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido on Thursday was ordered reassigned to Ozamiz City from Samar to deal with his "unfinished business" in the city.

In an interview on "Dobol B sa News TV," Espenido said that aside from the Parojinogs, there are other people left in Ozamiz City who should be hunted down over their involvement in illegal drugs trade.

“Kung unfinished business talaga ngayon ang sabihin ... Kasi hindi lang Parojinog ang problema sa Ozamiz,” he said.

“May grupo-grupo kasi sila. Sila nag-organize. Kung mga hitman ang naiwan, kawawa naman yung mga witness natin,” he continued.

He said that he does not want a repeat of what happened in Albuera, Leyte where witnesses were killed following the arrest of suspects, saying he is assuring the safety and security of witnesses in Ozamiz this time.

“Ngayon kung Ozamiz naman pabayaan natin, mamamatay din ang mga witnesses,” Espenido said.

The Philippine National Police has issued Special Order No. 15606, reassigning Espenido from Samar back to Ozamiz City as the chief of the city police effective on Thursday.

PNP's order came after President Duterte ordered that Espenido be brought back to  Ozamiz City.

Espenido was the chief of police in Albuera, Leyte when the then Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was a drug suspect, was killed in police custody.

The following year, he was transferred to Ozamiz where then Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others linked to illegal drugs were also killed in anti-drug operation.

On October 11,  Espenido was reassigned to Catanduanes and earlier this month, he was again reassigned in Samar as head of the Calbayog City police.

Espenido said that Ailon Parojinog, who is the alleged right-hand of the arrested drug suspect Ardot Parojinog, is still running a drug business in the Visayas.

“Request na pahintulutan tugusin kung saan. Task force ba, na nahapin na,” Espindo said.

“Hahanapin ang mga hitman nila, yun yung sinasabi ng presidente na lubos-lubos na ba,” he also said. —Joviland Rita/LBG/RSJ, GMA News