Duterte names replacement of slain MisOcc board member Octavio Parojinog Jr.

President Rodrigo Duterte has named the replacement of Misamis Occidental board member Octavio Parojinog Jr. nearly a year after he was killed in police anti-drug raids in Ozamiz City.

Duterte appointed Simplicia Neri to Misamis Occidental’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan based on the document released by Malacañang on Wednesday.

Parojinog, along with his brother Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and several others, died in the series of raids in their homes on July 30 last year.

Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog and her brother, Reynaldo Parojinog Jr., were arrested and are currently detained on cases for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and illegal possession of explosives and dangerous drugs.

Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo "Ardot" Parojinog, meanwhile, was arrested in Taiwan in May after months in hiding.

Duterte had repeatedly identified the late Ozamiz mayor as protector of drug lords and accused the latter of killing policemen for refusing to heed orders from the Parojinogs.— Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News