Cops confirm Parojinog remnants in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Manuel Abrugena has confirmed that there are some remnants of the Mindanao-based Parojinog group that were able to enter Cebu, particularly in Talisay City.

Abrugena’s statement came after the arrest of an alleged underling of Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog in Lapu-Lapu City during the “One-Time, Bigtime” operation on Thursday.

“Continuous po ang ating pag-identify doon sa possible remnants noong Parojinog group because I do believe na watak-watak na ito and what remains is itong mga miyembro.  However, noong nawala ang power ay nagkanya-kanya na sila ng operation,” Abrugena said.

A certain Jurily Pagalan was arrested by the operatives of Lapu-Lapu City Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City through a warrant of arrest for illegal drugs.

Abrugena said that Pagalan used to live in Talisay City before she transferred to Lapu-Lapu City.

The Talisay City Police Office has conducted previously an operation against Pagalan but she was able to sense and transfer to Lapu-Lapu where she was arrested.

Pagalan can be considered a high-value target knowing her capability to dispose of  big amount of illegal drugs, said Abrugena.

Abrugena said that based on their previous arrested drug personalities, particularly in Talisay City, they were already established that one of the main sources of illegal drugs is an unspecified place in Mindanao.

“Ang ginagawa ngayon ay patuloy ang coordination sa both public and private ports and wharf dito sa Cebu province at nag-deploy tayo ng intelligence operatives to monitor. Nakipag-coordinate na din tayo sa mga force multipliers sa mga identified places na puwedeng pagdaungan or pagdalhan ng illegal drugs coming from different areas,” said Abrugena.

He added that they are also closely coordinating with the PNP Maritime and Coast guard.

Abrugena also said that there are some members of the Parojinog group that they monitored in Cebu but most of the arrested personalities were ‘runners.’

However, he said that it is impossible that the remnants of the Parojinog group operating in Cebu now were able to form a group of their own for a large operation.

“I don’t think so because of the series of operation we conducted previously lang ay ang OTBT natin. There is no way they can build or can organize such group here in Cebu, especially sa pronouncement ng ating Chief PNP (Oscar Albayalde) at ni President Duterte.  Walang person who is in his right mind to form a group here because definitely magmi-melt sila,” said Abrugena.

Meanwhile, Abrugena also shared his thoughts with Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) that there might a possible stock house or a drug laboratory in Cebu, based on the unending supply of illegal drugs both in the entire island.

Abrugena said that they received reports on the possible presence of stock house or drug laboratory in Cebu Province but there is no evidence yet to prove. — GAN (FREEMAN)