Tighter security measures readied for return of Kerwin Espinosa
Suspected drug lord Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will tighten the security within its official headquarters in Camp Crame upon the arrival of Kerwin Espinosa, allegedly the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas, from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) early morning Friday.
The PNP will enforce stricter measures on media personnel entering the police camp to cover the arrival of Espinosa, PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said on Thursday.
PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said Espinosa and his escorts from the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) will possibly arrive in Manila around 2 to 3 a.m.
READ: Kerwin Espinosa to arrive in Manila early Friday
But Carlos was quick to explain that the PNP has not received any security threat against Kerwin, whose father Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. died inside a jail during a police operation last Nov. 5.
READ: Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa killed in ‘firefight’ inside jail
“We have not received any threats but we just want to make sure that we will not have any problem when he’s transferred from airport to the Custodial Center,” Carlos said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos discusses to the media the security coverage for the arrival of alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa in Manila from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates early morning Friday. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net
Asked why Kerwin needs to be heavily guarded, Carlos explained: “We would like to be able to know who is above him as part of our campaign against illegal drugs.”
READ: PNP vows to keep Kerwin Espinosa alive
From the airport, he said Kerwin will be brought to Camp Crame through secured routes. He said there will be alternate and contingency routes the convoy can pass through in case of emergency.
Upon the arrival of the convoy at Crame, Carlos said there will be two possible scenarios.
“Scenario one, he will be immediately presented to the media then he would undergo booking procedure and medical check-up afterwards. Second scenario, he will undergo booking procedures and then he will be presented to the media once he is done,” Carlos said.
Kerwin was arrested last Oct. 17 by the Abu Dhabi police in coordination with AIDG and Interpol, acting on a tip from an overseas Filipino worker to the police. IDL
