No autopsy request from Ardot Parojinog's family —PNP chief Cascolan

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Cascolan on Monday said the family of former Ozamiz City councilor Ricardo "Ardot" Parojinog did not request for an autopsy on his body.

At a press briefing on Monday, Cascolan said an investigation is still ongoing on the death of Parojinog inside a detention facility in Ozamiz City last week.

"Accordingly, the family of Ardot Parojinog did not request for an autopsy on Ardot knowing fully the health condition of the deceased, but our investigation is continuing," Cascolan said.

"Any kind of findings, we will be able to evaluate."

Parojinog — member of a powerful political clan linked to the illegal drug trade by President Rodrigo Duterte — was found dead inside the detention cell of Ozamiz City Police Station last Friday.

Police said Parojinog, detained in Camp Crame in Quezon City, was in the city to attend a court hearing on a string of cases filed against him.

Police Regional Office 10 chief Police Brigadier General Rolando Anduyan earlier said Parojinog had died of heart attack and probable COVID-19. He said the detainee was low in spirits when he had arrived in Ozamiz City last Thursday.

Cascolan admitted that police are not knowledgeable about the health condition of Parojinog, but vowed to constantly coordinate with physicians to shed light on his death.

"I'm not privy to it (Ardot's health) but that's what the findings physician have. All we relay to you is the findings of the doctors. We will investigate, we will evaluate and we will ask the doctors on their findings so we could have an idea... pero 'yun na 'yun," Cascolan said.

Parojinog was deported to the Philippines in July 2018, two months after his arrest in Taiwan where he fled following the police raid on the clan's compound, which killed his brother, former mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr.

He was facing charges for murder, illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives. —KBK, GMA News