According to police: ‘Parojinog Group’ behind robbery

CEBU, Philippines — The six to eight men who robbed one after the other two jewelry stores in Cebu City last week are connected to the Parojinog Group, a long-time notorious criminal group that had already struck Cebu several times in the past.

This, as the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) presented today the arrested alleged driver of the silver/gray Mitsubishi Adventure that it said was used as a getaway vehicle.

In a press conference, Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, CCPO Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) spokesperson, said at least four of the robbers are members of the Parojinog Group while the rest were local contacts.

She said one of the local contacts is Marcial Ponesto, 31, of Barangay Pagsabungan, Mandaue City, Cebu, who was arrested at the location where the vehicle was recovered in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City Tuesday evening.

Macatangay said they had been in hot pursuit of the vehicle since the crime occurred last August 8, and Ponesto was identified as the driver both before and during the crime.

She said the police tracked down the vehicle using CCTV footage from private agencies, as well as through assistance from informants and local residents.

She said the vehicle yielded high-powered firearms, explosives, drugs, and clothes believed to have been used by the perpetrators during the robbery.

“We were there and we were able to determine that this was really the vehicle that was used. In it were firearms, there's an explosive as well. Well, it didn't come as a surprise to us because when they conducted the heist, naa man silay dagko nga armas nga gibitbit,” Macatangay said.

Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, on the other hand, went to the CCPO yesterday morning and commended it for its swift action in solving the robbery incident.

He said he would now evaluate to whom the P200,000 he promised as reward would go, to ensure that it is received by those who really deserve it.  Of the amount, P100,000 comes from his own pocket while the other P100,000 is donated by businessmen.

Garcia further instructed the police to strengthen its case buildup to secure court convictions for the suspects, which would send a strong message that committing a crime in Cebu City does not pay.

“The case has to reach its conclusion and the conviction is essential so that it will send notice to the entire world that dili basta-basta ang Cebu City nga inyong madali-dali og perpetrate og mga illegal acts,” the acting mayor said.

On Ponesto, Macatangay said that based on his behavior, he allegedly appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs during his arrest, which was why he was apprehended with minimal resistance.

Ponesto, though, was just the driver and not the owner of the vehicle, which is registered to a Police Master Sergeant assigned in Luzon.

It is not established yet, however, if the policeman is a member or not of the Parojinog Group, but he was on leave when the robbery happened.

The Parojinog Group, also known as Kuratong Baleleng, is a notorious criminal organization in the Philippines. It is involved in murder, trafficking, robbery, and illegal gambling. Founded in 1984 as an anti-communist militia by the military, the group was officially disbanded in 1988 but continued its activities through splinter groups.

After the death of its leader, Octavio Parojinog, in 1988, his son Reynaldo took over, leading the group until 2017.

That same year, Reynaldo and his family were killed by police during a search for firearms, further splintering the organization. By 2018, other Parojinog family members were arrested for illegal firearms, drug operations, and other crimes.

Despite ongoing efforts to dismantle the group, including property freeze orders in February 2021 and renewed anti-drug campaigns by former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Parojinog group reportedly remains active in its criminal operations in the country.

As to the men who robbed Macy's Jewelry Store and DGC D' Gold Chain Jewelry Store, taking with them assorted pieces of jewelry worth around P14 million, Macatangay said they would be filing complaints against at least four individuals.

She said the SITG is still preparing all documents and may be able to file tomorrow or Monday the criminal complaints of robbery in band; violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act); and explosives-related offenses, among others.

She admitted, though, that of the four men, two have already fled Cebu. —/RHM (FREEMAN)