Kerwin Espinosa names cops in drug payola

Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa bared on Wednesday the names of former and incumbent police officials, who allegedly received money from him, including two policemen, who were part of the team that raided the cell of his slain father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

Testifying before the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, Kerwin claimed giving a P120,000 monthly payola in 2011 to former police general and now Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot through Chief Insp. Leo Laraga.

Laraga led the police team that raided the cell of the slain mayor last Nov. 5.

“P120,000 monthly pero ang para kay General Loot nito ang P100,000 at ang P20,000 para kay Leo Laraga (but only P100,000 of that was for General Loot and P20,000 was for Leo Laraga),” Kerwin said.

“Maraming beses akong nagbibigay (I gave them many several times),” he said, adding that the payola only stopped when Loot was transferred at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Kerwin said he did not personally meet both Loot and Laraga as he only gave the money through his bagman.

READ: 3 cops tagged in Espinosa slay in Kerwin’s drug payola—Lacson

In 2012, he said he was introduced to Supt. Santi Noel Matira, who is also part of the raiding team, so he could also give him an “SOP.”

Asked if he gave an SOP to Matira, Kerwin said: “Oo P15,000 weekly hanggang naging P25,000 kasi lumaki na rin yung area ko sa Leyte (I gave them P15,000 weekly until it became P25,000 since my area in Leyte also expanded).”

He also claimed giving a P15,000 weekly “SOP” to a certain Police Inspector Chua. CDG

READ: Cop tagged in mayor’s slay denies he’s in Kerwin’s payola

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