By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Public Safety Jesus Hinlo, Jr. revealed no elected officials from the Negros Island Region (NIR) were found to be involved in the illegal drug trade.
The DILG official, who was in Bacolod City for a meeting yesterday, made the statement in response to the recent deadly drug raid at the residence of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Sr.
He also reiterated the warning by President Rodrigo Duterte to those still engaged in the illegal drug trade.
“If there is danger to the lives of the policemen and the armed forces, you could die in the operation,” Hinlo asserted.
He explained, the Ozamiz incident involved members of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), who attempted to serve a search warrant at the residence of the Ozamiz mayor and came under fire, prompting police officers to respond.
Parojinog and 14 others were killed. Among the casualties included his wife; sister; and brother, Board Member Octavio Parojinog, Jr.
Authorities seized P1.4 million in cash, half a kilo of suspected shabu, and firearms.
The mayor’s daughter, Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog, was meanwhile arrested in the raid./WDJ