PNP: Parojinog’s furlough in November 2018 had permission from court

After conducting an investigation, the Philippine National Police (PNP) found that the medical furlough of former Ozamiz City vice mayor Nova Princess Parojinog in November 2018 was approved by the court.

"After thorough examination of documents and official reports, it became clear that the medical furlough of detainee Parojinog on November 12, 2018 had the express permission of the court," PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said in a statement.

According to Banac, Parojinog was escorted from the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame around 8:50 a.m. of November 12, 2018 to the clinic of Dr. Louisse Orasa at Room 801 in Medical City Hospital in Pasig City to undergo panoramic dental x-ray at her own expense.

Banac said this was upon the order of Honorable Judge Edgardo Bellosillo, presiding judge of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 95.

"The convoy arrived at the medical facility at exactly 9:40 a.m. and the x-ray procedure was performed by Mr. Zyrel Pingel on detainee Parojinog after which she was immediately returned to the PNP Custodial Center at 10 a.m.," Banac said.

Banac further said the chief of the custodial service unit had rendered a written report to the said regional trial court on November 13, 2018 detailing compliance on its order.

Banac added the same court granted a separate motion for furlough filed by Parojinog to visit her detained brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. at the Metro Manila District Jail Annex 5 in Bicutan, Taguig City on December 23, 2019.

Earlier this month, it was the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 228 which had ordered the warden of the PNP Custodial Center to explain why Parojinog was allowed to leave, noting that the detainee did not seek permission from the court where she is charged with possession of illegal drugs.

Nova Princess and her brother Reynaldo Jr. were arrested during a 2017 police raid which killed their father, Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., his wife, and 13 others.

President Rodrigo Duterte had accused the Parojinog family of involvement in the illegal drug trade. — RSJ, GMA News