Aguirre open to putting Kerwin under witness protection program

Alleged Visayas drug lord Rolan ‘Kerwin’ Espinosa was reportedly spotted by OFWs in Abu Dhabi. INQUIRER RILE

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is willing to place suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) as long as he would cooperate with authorities to punish government officials involved in the narcotics trade.

“Welcome pong lahat ang gustong makipagtulungan para ating maparusahan itong mga malalaking mga public officials involved in the drug trade. Kaya’t ‘yang—we were offering the protection of the WPP to Kerwin Espinosa,” Aguirre told reporters in a Palace briefing on Wednesday.

Aside from Espinosa, Aguirre said Dayan was also welcome to apply for the WPP “as they are cooperative and that they will be qualified to be accepted, to be admitted under our Witness Protection Program.”

Espinosa is expected to return to the Philippines from Abu Dhabi while Dayan is currently the subject of a manhunt operation by the police.

READ: Kerwin Espinosa to arrive in Manila early Friday

Aguirre said he has written a letter to Philippine National Police Chief Director Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to assist in giving protection to Espinosa.

“I have written General Bato that if ever any assistance is needed in connection with the protection, protective custody of Kerwin, then the NBI is willing to provide that protection and be it the fact that the NBI is the attached agency — police agency na naka attach sa DOJ and in view with the wish of Kerwin to be put under the Witness Protection Program per letter of the Ambassador sa UAE,” he said.

READ: Kerwin Espinosa wants to enter witness protection program—Aguirre

The justice secretary said the DOJ was willing to provide assistance to the PNP in its investigation on Espinosa’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

“Kaya’t kinausap ko na rin si General Bato dyan na in the event na dumating si Kerwin dito sa atin, kung pupwede ay makapagpadala kami ng some prosecutors and some agents of the NBI for, to us to help or to assist in the investigation of Kerwin,” he said. JE