Fearful mayor stays with cops after naming son’s drug cohorts

Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. during his surrender to PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa. GRIG MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

ALBUERA, Leyte – Beleaguered Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. is now staying at the police station after executing an affidavit identifying the persons involved in the illegal operation of his son, Kerwin, said to be the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas.

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Espinosa has been staying inside a room beside the office of Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Albuera police chief, since Friday to ensure his safety after receiving threats from unidentified individuals.

Espenido said he acceded to the request of Espinosa to be placed under his custody because he could see that the mayor feared for his life after receiving death threats through his mobile phone.

Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, police director for Eastern Visayas, confirmed that the mayor was under threat by “external” forces.

“The mayor was very scared. He had been receiving threats and he felt that his life was in danger,” he added.

Belterjar said the mayor would not be given police escort once he stepped out of the police station because doing so would be violating the directive of President Duterte that “narco-politicians” should not be given police escorts. CDG/rga

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