OZAMIZ CITY--OIC Mayor Irene Girlet
Luansing clarified the issue of the local government putting up bounties to
Councilor Ricardo Parojinog and those allied with the Parojinog family alleged
as druglords.
Luansing’s statement was reported
by the Mindanaoan Broadcasting Channel (MBC), a local cable network, which said
that the detailed rewards of wanted persons ranged from P250-thousand to One
million pesos.
Luansing added the City has nothing
to do with the award offered to anybody who can give information for the
capture of the named residents.
The mayor justified that her authority
for the meantime is limited as an Officer in Charge of the LGU designated to
perform the advantage of the mayor but with powers to release funds nixed so it’s
impossible to post such rewards as that big being offered.
The City Police Station, through S/Insp.
Dennis Tano, deputy chief, also said their office also has nothing to do with
the reported bounty.
Tano added benevolent citizens may put
forward or propose such undertaking in their own capacity, which could be the motive
of the large number of pasted posters around the city proper.
He said Police C/Insp. Jovie
Espenido also positively denied having a hand in the so called “Wanted: Dead or
Alive” posters and bills when informed and asked of the same.
The wanted posters include Councilor
Parojinog with 1M reward; nephew Aylon Parojinog—the alleged leader of the
notorious "Martilyo Gang", former PBA player and estranged husband of
Vice Mayor Nova Princess—Edgar “Egay” Echavez, currently the village chieftain
of San Antonio.
Echavez’s mother said she advised
her son to leave to be free from harm’s way. (MICHAEL MEDINA)