In line with our Enhanced Leadership Program, we had our Commandant of the Cadets, PCOL Jaysen de Guzman as our resource speaker, and he discussed the controversial Parojinog case and Kuratong Baleleng Gang[1] who were notorious criminal groups in Misamis Occidental. Basically, the Kuratong Baleleng Gang was a group of civilian volunteers who were organized and managed by the military which served as a force multiplier in fighting against insurgency. They were provided authority and arms by the military to accomplish their purpose. Due to the success of their campaign against the communist insurgents, they were regarded as heroes in their town. They were subsequently told to disperse by the military, but instead of doing so, they formed small groups and started carrying out robberies and other illegal activities using the weapons they had been handed by the military. They conduct the majority of their illegal activities in Luzon and Visayas before returning to their hometown, where they are known as the Robin hood of the neighborhood, and splitting all of their earnings with them. They were able to increase their influence and authority as a result of the people's love and protection for them.

 

During the term of PCOL De Guzman as the Provincial Director of Misamis Occidental, it was a challenge for him to operate and apprehend the Parojinog Family since they were protected by the populace of the Ozamiz City[2]. With that, PCOL De Guzman thoroughly investigated and tracked down all connections related to the Parojinog's, and he gathered assets that could be essential for the investigation of the case. He also shared his strategies for how he successfully accomplished the mission. 

 

The takeaway I gained during our session with our speaker is the importance of planning before any act or operation. As future law enforcers serving the Philippine National Police, we should be thinking steps ahead of our enemy; we should have the ability to predict and anticipate certain situations that could greatly affect the result of our objective. Lastly, in order for us to serve our purpose of public safety, enforcing the law with our utmost integrity, we should instill the core values imparted to us by the academy so that no money, bribe, or power could influence our service in our country.

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REFERENCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Ozamiz_police_raid#:~:text=Parojinog%20is%20the%20third%20mayor,Date

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