CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Sixteen high-powered including several M16 Bushmaster assault rifles were surrendered by Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and his relatives to the Philippine National Police last Monday.
PNP Northern Mindanao spokesperson Superintendent Surki Serenas said Mayor Parojinog; his daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinong; and his son, Councilor Ricardo Parojinog already complied with the PNP directive to surrender their firearms.
Serenas said aside from the Bushmaster rifles, the surrendered firearms include FN assault rifles; SOCOM II; AK 45, Glock; and Para Ordnance pistols.
“This is a fair warning to those in the Duterte’s list but refused to comply with the order to surrender their firearms. They will face possible arrest for illegal possession of firearms,” Serenas said.
Earlier, PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa revoked the licenses of all firearms issued to Parojinog and his family during his visit at the PNP region 10 headquarters in Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City last Friday.
President Rodrigo Duterte tagged Parojinog and seventeen other mayors in Mindanao to have links in the illegal drugs trade.
PNP region 10 Director Chief Superintendent Noel Constantino also stripped Parojinog of his control of the local police force in Ozamiz City and ordered the immediate recall of all police officers assigned as security escorts to Parojinog and his family.
“For now, they can employ the services of private security guards and protective agents duly authorized by SOSIA and approved by the PNP,” Constantino said.
The PNP in region 10 said Clarin town Mayor David Navarro of Misamis Occidental, who was also in the Duterte’s list, also surrendered his firearms last Monday. (FROILAN GALLARDO)
