DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday maintained that the death of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was due to a legitimate police operation and not a case of extrajudicial killing.
Upon his return here from Malaysia early Friday, Duterte dared those questioning the official version behind Espinosa’s killing to “file a case against the police” if critics have a version that proves it was indeed a “rubout.”
READ: Duterte believes police version of Espinosa jail killing
The former Albuera, Leyte mayor and another drug suspect, Raul Yap, were gunned down by elements of the police Criminal Investigation and Detention-Region 8 last Saturday for allegedly resisting after the CIDG operators were about to conduct a search inside their cells at Baybay, Leyte sub-provincial jail for alleged weapons.
“I believe in the version of the police. If they have a version that proves otherwise, then a case should be filed against the police,” said Duterte, reiterating his vow early during the campaign to protect the police implementing his war against illegal drugs.
READ: Duterte not puzzled about mayor’s killing
“The police have nothing to be afraid of. They’ve got my protection. I will support them,” he said, adding if somebody should go to prison for taking up his fight against drugs, it must be him.
“I’m the one who issues orders so I assume full, legal responsibility,” the President said. CDG/rga