Pacquiao incredulous at police testimony on Espinosa slay

Sen. Panfilo Lacson and other senators at the Senate probe on the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. LYN RILLON/INQUIRER

In disbelief over what he heard, Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao on Thursday reprimanded police officers who testified at the Senate inquiry into Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.’s death, saying they cannot fool the public with their “shallow” testimonies.

READ: Senate opens probe on Espinosa slay

“I wasn’t born yesterday to believe your shallow testimonies,” said Pacquiao in Filipino, visibly incredulous at police claims at the hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

“You cannot make a fool out of the minds of the people listening now,” he said in Filipino.

At one point, Pacquiao, who is still nursing wounds and bruises because of his recent fight against American Jessie Vargas, said he was feeling his blood pressure rise.

“Marami pa sana ako tanong sa inyo pero tumataas blood pressure ko (I had wanted to ask you more questions but my blood pressure is rising),” he said.

This prompted Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II to joke: “Nababahala ako kasi napansin ko mas masakit ulo ni Sen. Pacquiao ngayon kesa nung lumaban sya kay Jessie Vargas (I am worried because I noticed that Sen. Pacquiao’s headache is worse than when he fought Vargas).”

Pacquiao, who won the fight by a unanimous decision, responded by referring to a fight cut on the left side of his head: “May tahi pa ako eh (I still have stitches).”

The senator was piqued at the whole scenario of Espinosa’s death on Nov. 5, where a team of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Region 8 gunned down Espinosa and fellow inmate Raul Yap for allegedly putting up a resistance against police while being served a search warrant behind bars.

READ: Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa killed in ‘firefight’ inside jail

The raiding team claimed they had received information that there was a 45 caliber pistol inside one of the cells at the subprovincial jail in Baybay, Leyte.

Pacquiao questioned the team why they had to apply for a search warrant when Espinosa was already detained in a public facility, and thus could be subject to a search anytime.

“We use a search warrant because of the rights of people to secure their privacy, property, and person. But Espinosa was already detained… He no longer has privacy,” said Pacquiao.

He noted the Espinosa could have been a valuable witness that could point to other personalities involved in drugs. He also called on police officers to steer clear of the drug trade. RAM/rga