NBI files illegal drug case vs Kerwin Espinosa, alleged police coddlers
MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal complaint against self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and 25 others including his alleged police protectors.
In a letter dated Dec. 9, 2019 but made public Wednesday, aside from Espinosa, facing a case for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are Brigadier General Asher Dolina, Police Captain Eufracio Javines and Bernie D. Magamay, Chief Master Sergeant Edgardo (Eduardo) Betuin, Staff Sergeant Roberto Arafol, Police Colonel Elizar Egloso, Police Corporal Marvin Parac, as well as Vistor L. Espina Jr., Martin L. Espina and Marites S. Ang.
Duterte, in 2016, said Dolina was cleared along with another police officer tagged in the death of Kerwin’s father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.
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Espinosa during a Senate inquiry said “Dolina” was among those who received drug protection from him.
Dolina already denied links with Espinosa or even knowing him personally. He added that the young Espinosa does not even know his first name -” he just referred to me as Dolina.”
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Article continues after this advertisementIn its recent complaint, the NBI submitted several documentary evidence including the joint affidavit of the NBI investigators, Kerwin Espinosa’s sworn statement, Transcript of Stenographic Notes of the Senate hearing conducted by its Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Joint with the Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing.
Also named in the complaint is Espinosa’s former aide, now government witness Marcelo Adorco,Maba Limbona, Brian Anthony Zaldivar alias Tonypet, Galo Legaspi alias Kapre, Chief Insp. Wilfredo C. Abordo, Police Officer 3 Dennis Torrefel, Galo Bobares, Ferdinand Rondina alias Denan, Jose Antipuesto alias Joe, Jose Estrera alias Amang, Nickjune Canin, Alfred Batistis, Josela Dumaguit alias Jojie, Baysay L. Custodio and Viberca Diano.
Espinosa was released from the New Bilibid Prison in November 2009, on orders of the Court of Appeals, after a month of being behind bars.
He returned to Cebu City where he was incarcerated again in 2010. He moved his drug operations to Eastern Visayas in 2011 and was detained in the Ormoc City jail until 2013 for illegal possession of firearms and frustrated murder.
“Despite detention for almost two years, Kerwin’s drug trade flourished in Eastern Visayas through his cohorts, private armed men and coddlers,” the NBI said.
In July 2018, the Department of Justice indicted Espinosa for a separate case of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading along with another drug convict Peter Co.
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