Leyte mayor under custody of Dela Rosa; son still at large

PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. has surrendered to police, beating the deadline for President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive for him to turn himself in for his alleged links to the illegal drugs trade.

Malacañang announced early Tuesday that Espinosa was under the custody of Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.

But Espinosa’s son Kerwin, who was given the same ultimatum to surrender in 24 hours, remains at large.

On Monday, the President warned that if the Espinosas would not surrender within the deadline, “an order of ‘shoot on sight’ will be given if they resist and endanger the lives of arresting police officers.”

READ: Duterte to Leyte mayor, son: Surrender or ‘die’

Earlier, two bodyguards and three employees of the mayor were arrested during a police buy-bust operation that netted at least P1.9 million worth of shabu.

READ: Bato to hold presser after Leyte town mayor surrenders

Reports said four others eluded capture after they went inside Kerwin’s house and locked the gate.

The war against illegal drugs has been the centerpiece of the Duterte administration, with the President repeatedly speaking about his desire to eradicate the scourge.

Earlier, he named five police officials that he had branded as coddlers of drug lords and ordered them investigated.

He has also directed law enforcers to be relentless in going after illegal drug operatives.

But the war against drugs has  left a bloody trail with the deaths of hundreds of drug suspects in vigilante-style killings and in supposed shootouts with law enforcers.

The body count has drawn concern from human rights groups, which said the rule of law and due process must still prevail. RAM/rga

RELATED VIDEO