Ardot Parojinog asks Supreme Court for protection from PNP

Former Ozamiz City councilor Ricardo "Ardot" Parojinog has asked the Supreme Court (SC) for protection from the police and a local court handling criminal cases against him.

Parojinog, through counsel, sought a writ of amparo, a temporary protection order from the Philippine National Police and the Ozamiz City regional trial courts, and a temporary restraining order preventing the court from proceeding with the cases filed against him.

The petition named PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde, Ozamiz police's Major Jovie Espenido, and Ozamiz City Regional Trial Court Acting Executive Judge Soliver Peras as respondents.

The writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security is threatened or violated by public officials or private persons.

SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka confirmed such a petition was filed last June 19.

Parojinog reportedly faces charges for murder, illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives. He was deported from Taiwan last year for illegal entry using spurious documents.

Parojinog is the brother of the late city mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., whom President Rodrigo Duterte had accused of involvement in the illegal drug trade. Reynaldo was killed in a police raid of their house in 2017. 

Another Parojinog, Reynaldo's son Reynaldo Jr., was convicted of illegal possession of drugs and sentenced to life imprisonment last May. — RSJ, GMA News