Senators grill cops on ‘premeditated’ killing of Espinosa

Policemen, from left, led by Supt. Marvin Marcos, Chief Insp. Leo Laraga and Supt. Santi Noel Matira testify before the Senate investigation on the death of Albuera, Leyte, Mayor Rolando Espinosa. The three are officials of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Eastern Visayas that conducted the raid at the Baybay Sub-Provincial Jail where Espinosa was killed. NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net

Senators had one word to describe the killing of Albuera, Leyte, Mayor Rolando Espinosa: premeditated.

This after members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection (CIDG) in Eastern Samar failed to explain why they called the scene of the crime operatives (Soco) even before they raided Espinosa’s cell at the Baybay sub-provincial jail before dawn of November 5.

Senator Panfilo Lacson noted during the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs that the team already requested for Soco at 3:49 a.m., even before the raiding team could enter the jail at 4:30 a.m.

“So hindi pa kayo nakakapasok, nagre-request na kayo ng Soco? Bakit, ina-anticipate n’yo ba na may papatayin kayo kaya nagre-request na kayo ng Soco?” Lacson asked.

CIDG-Region 8 chief, Superintendent Marvin Marcos, said he did not know because he was not the one who made the call but Supt. Santi Noel Matira.

Lacson asked Matira, who responded: “Hindi ko maalala masyado sir yung oras pero sigurado ako tumawag ako sir,” Matira said.

“Parang tumatawag kayo ng punenarya, wala pang engkwentro,” the senator said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon asked Matira why he made the call.

Matira said he requested for Soco after Chief Inspector Leo Laraga, who led the raid, informed him that shots had been fired.

Drilon asked how could there be gunshots at 3:49 a.m when the team was able to enter the jail only at 4:30 a.m.

“May expectation ba na may mamatay, na may babarilin? May expectation ba na lalaban?” the senator asked again to which Matira answered: “Wala po, Sir.”

On Senator Richard Gordon’s questioning, Matira said he was in the middle of the firefight when he requested for Soco.

“Nandoon ka sa loob? Nangyayari ang putukan nandun ka sa loob? So nangyari ang putukan at 3:49, according you?” Gordon asked.

“Hindi ko ma-recall Sir,” Matira said.

At that point, Lacson interjected and said: “There’s one word to describe this, premeditated.”

Gordon agreed with Lacson’s statement.

“Correct. That’s why I’m asking him. Lumabalas premeditated lahat ang sinasabi mo,” Gordon said. CBB/rga