PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa. INQUIRER PHOTO / LYN RILLON
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa offered on Tuesday morning to personally protect the son of slain Albuera, Leyte, mayor Rolando Espinosa to ensure his safety.
Dela Rosa, who arrived past 4 a.m. Tuesday on Philippine Airlines Flight PR 103 with Senator Manny Pacquiao from Los Angeles, also promised to protect other suspected high-profile drug personalities who would surrender.
Speaking to reporters, the country’s top cop said he would wait for the outcome of the investigation into Espinosa’s death while expressing belief that it was not a case of extra-judicial killing.
READ: Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa killed in ‘firefight’ inside jail
“Their (PNP personnel’s) actions were legitimate. They had a search warrant so we cannot say it is EJK,” Dela Rosa said, referring to the killing of Espinosa who died before dawn on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in an alleged shootout with lawmen while detained at a sub-provincial jail in Leyte.
Asked if he knew of the operation beforehand, Dela Rosa said he was on official leave and was in Las Vegas to watch the fight of Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas, adding that he did not have all the facts.
He said it would depend on the investigation if heads would roll over the incident.
“They should not be afraid. That (Espinosa’s death) is an isolated case. They should not be afraid as long as I am here. We will investigate the mayor’s death,” the police chief told the Inquirer.
Nonetheless, Dela Rosa assured high-profile drug personalities of their safety.
“They should not be afraid. That (Espinosa’s death) is an isolated case. They should not be afraid as long as I am here. We will investigate the mayor’s death,” the police chief told the Inquirer.
As for Espinosa’s son, Kerwin, the PNP chief said in Filipino, “He should not worry. I will watch over him even if I have to do it myself. Nothing will happen to him.”
Dela Rosa said he would meet with Solicitor General Jose Calida at the Department of Justice to discuss whether the sworn statement by a witness who has died, apparently referring to Espinosa, could still be used in court.
As for Espinosa’s son, Kerwin, the PNP chief said in Filipino, “He should not worry. I will watch over him even if I have to do it myself. Nothing will happen to him.”
The PNP chief said he and his men were ready to appear before the Senate should it proceed with its inquiry on EJKs or open an investigation into the death of the mayor.
For his part, Pacquiao said he immediately returned to the country to get back to work at the Senate.
On Espinosa’s killing, he said that he agreed with Senator Richard Gordon to have a separate inquiry into Espinosa’s death than reopen the Senate hearing on EJKs. CBB