The Supreme Court rejected the protection plea of Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog, brother of slain drug-linked Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.
Ardot filed the said plea due to alleged threats to his life and harassment by authorities.
The SC decided in full session on July 2 to dismiss Parojinog’s writ of amparo petition, saying he is not entitled to it due to “procedural grounds.”
Rules on the writ of amparo prohibits the filing of a separate amparo petition when a criminal case has been filed, the high court said.
Under the rules, he could seek the same reliefs through a motion in the criminal cases, said the resolution.
In his petition, Parojinog accused the Philippine National Police (PNP), particularly PNP Ozamiz City chief Police Maj. Jovie Espenido, of trying to “eradicate” the entire Parojinog clan.
The Supreme Court dismissed Parojinog’s petition without even requiring the respondents to file an answer.
Parojinog was already facing criminal charges for violating the immigration law and pilferage of electricity at the time he sought the high court’s protection on June 19.
Fearing for his life, Parojinog left the country but was arrested in Taiwan on May 23, 2018 and has since stayed at the PNP Custodial Center in Quezon City.
Four Parojinogs were killed during the deadly raid in Ozamiz on July 30, 2017: Reynaldo the mayor, his wife Susan Echavez-Parojinog, Octavio Parojinog Jr. and Mona Parojinog. In all, 16 were killed during the raid.
But the high court reiterated that there were no basis on his claims because the PNP Custodial Center is a government agency capable of keeping and securing Parojinog’s safety./ with reports from Bombo Jerald B. Ulep; edited by Bombo Sol Marquez.
