Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr., remains at large. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
ALBUERA, Leyte—Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. knew change was coming and vanished days after President Duterte’s election in May.
His disappearance may have something to do with their “family business”—an open secret in this third-class town with a population of about 40,000.
Senior Supt. Frank Simborio, Leyte police director, said Kerwin and his father, Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., were considered “high-value” targets.
Kerwin allegedly ran the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas.
“He belongs to our category as level three meaning he is at the highest level. This means that he operates big time and as far as the police provincial director said, the Espinosa family operates the illegal drug trade as a “family enterprise.”
“They are into the illegal drug trade running it as a family enterprise, business with the son leading the illegal trade,” Simborio said.
Using the proceeds from the drug sale, his family allegedly bought pieces of property. The family even owns a hotel in Albuera.
Kerwin stood as the drug lord while his other siblings were allegedly in charge of collection.
But Jose Antipuesto, a drug pusher who was arrested last month, told police that the drug trade was operated by the elder Espinosa with Kerwin as his right hand and muscle man.
The elder Espinosa withdrew from the operation two years ago in preparation for his political bid. The son, however, continued the family business.
The elder Espinosa ran as independent candidate and defeated his three opponents including Mayor Ramon dela Cerna Jr. who resigned from his post on May 19, citing “health” reasons.
Police sources said Kerwin learned the drug trade from Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, considered a big-time drug lord in Central Visayas who was killed by police in Las Piñas City in June.
Kerwin had been arrested nine times, the last in 2015, but managed to get released each time.
A source from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group told the Inquirer that Kerwin was once released from detention on the intervention of a police official who tagged him as police asset.
His neighbors at Sitio Tinago, Barangay Benolho in this town, also protected him and his family because of their generosity.
The family would host banquets on weekends for their neighbors who were mostly urban poor. The food and the drinks including liquor were overflowing.
Before the day would end, the family would hand in money “P200-P300” each.
Kerwin was described as a “nice guy” as long as you don’t cross him or don’t pay up.
In 2011, Kerwin’s name became popular when he was charged with shooting and wounding a local official, Andres Turtogo Jr., in his house on April 11 that year.
He and his two companions—Noel Arcayan and Roberto dela Cruz—were charged with frustrated murder. They were released on bail and the case remains pending.
Since then, there had been a series of killings believed to have been caused by debts from “shabu.” The usual name floated as suspect was “Boss K,” reportedly Kerwin’s name in the underworld.
The Espinosas knew change was coming when Chief Insp. Jove Espinido was appointed Albuera police chief on July 19.
The Espinosas started to get scared when they heard talks that Espinido would shoot the mayor and his son on sight due to their involvement in illegal drugs.
The mayor went on leave in early July and was last seen at his office on July 25 to sign the payroll.
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