Cops checking reports 'martilyo gang' dumped 10 murder victims in Ozamiz

The Ozamiz City police said it will continue to verify information that 10 people who have been reported missing were killed by members of the notorious "martilyo gang."

A report by GMA News' Cedric Castillo on Balitanghali on Saturday said that the local police also suspects that a member of the Parojinog clan has links with the criminal syndicate.

The criminal group, which is famous for using hammers, is responsible for jewelry heists.

Ozamiz City police director Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido said the 10 missing people could be victims of killings in the city.

This after members of the Ozamiz City police conducted an excavation at an alleged mass grave in Barangay Cogon on Friday.

The excavation was conducted after they received a tip that a body was dumped in the area two months ago.

The operation, however, yielded negative results as police only recovered sacks of garbage from the supposed mass grave.

Meanwhile, the Parojinog clan had dismissed accusations that a member of the family was involved in illegal activities such as bank robbery, the illegal drug trade and even killings.

This came after bloody predawn raids against the Parojinogs on Sunday, which led to the death of 16 individuals including Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog; his wife, Susan; his brother, Provincial Board Member Octavio Parojinog; and sister Mona.

The mayor's children, Vice Mayor Nova Princess and her brother Reynaldo Jr., were arrested during the raids.

Police claimed recovering firearms, drugs and huge amounts of cash from the Parojinog residences. —Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG, GMA News