MANILA, Philippines — Malacanang on Tuesday came to the defense of former Bacolod City police chief, Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido following his inclusion in the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) narcolist, saying the controversial cop could be a victim of flawed intelligence gathering.
“Definitely marami siyang nasagasaan, kaya napag-initan nung mga involved (He has gone against a lot of people, that’s why he was implicated by those involved),” palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.
Panelo said that even President Rodrigo Duterte is of the belief that Espenido could even be a victim of black propaganda in the drug war.
“Could be, because the President says that’s black propaganda, as far as he is concerned,” Panelo said when asked if Espenido was a “victim.”
“The President trusts him. It’s not unexpected that there may be some flaws in intelligence gathering. That happens. Sometimes they’re even intentional. You’re being fed with the wrong info coming from those who are against particular officer,” he added.
Panelo earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte believes that Espenido is “clean” and that all allegations tagging him in illegal drugs are “untrue.”
Espenido, who was recently relieved from his post as deputy director for operations of the Bacolod City Police Office, became controversial after the deaths of Mayor Rolando Espinosa in Albuera, Leyte who was shot while in detention, and Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog in Ozamiz City, where he was both previously assigned.