Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Sunday, September 6, said he has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the medical records of former Ozamiz City councilor Ricardo Parojinog who was found dead inside his detention cell last September 4.
The Northern Mindanao Police Regional Office said Parojinog’s body did not show signs of injuries. His death was attributed to cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to cardiovascular disease and probable COVID-19 infection.
Last September 3, Parojinog was transferred from the custodial center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame in Quezon City to the police detention center in Ozamiz City.
He was to attend a hearing on the criminal charges filed against him involving illegal drugs, murder, and illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
Guevarra said he had discussed the issue on Parojinog’s death and NBI Officer-in-Charge Eric Distor had said a team will verify the cause of death.
“I have already discussed this matter with (NBI) OIC Chief Distor. We agreed to let our field operatives do some initial fact-checking,” Guevarra said.
Parojinog fled to Taiwan following the filing of criminal charges against him. When arrested in 2018, he was deported to the Philippines and detained at the PNP’s custodial center.
He was the younger brother of former Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog who, together with his wife and 13 other persons, was killed in a police raid in 2017.