Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa turned emotional on Wednesday when he narrated how a police official, involved in the killing of his father, demanded P3 million from him during the May elections this year.
Espinosa said Supt. Marvin Marcos, the relieved director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Eastern Visayas, demanded P3 million supposedly to help the vice mayoralty bid of the latter’s wife.
Kerwin said it was during the first week of May when he received a call, informing him that Marcos had augmented the presence of police force in Albuera, Leyte where his slain father, Rolando Espinosa Sr., was running for mayor.
He said he gave his phone number to Marcos, who later called him, asking for a favor.
“Ako pala si Col . Marcos. Ako nagdala ng mga tao, nag augment kami dito sa Albuera. May mga dineploy na tao mga police…Para walang problema yung mga tao nyo na makagalaw kayo, magtulungan tayo,” Kerwin said, quoting Marcos.
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He said Marcos then told him that his wife was running for vice mayor and that they need funding.
“Ang sinabi nya sa akin P3 million yung sinabi nya pagkatapos tumawad ako kasi wala kong ganung pera kasi yung pera ko sir inihanda ko sir para sa Papa ko…” Kerwin said.
The suspected drug lord then paused, trying to control his emotion.
Kerwin went on with his testimony, saying he told Marcos that he could only give P2.5 million but not it in full.
“Kasi ipunin ko pa yung pera ko kasi yung pera na nakahanda ngayon na nasa akin ay para sa papa ko ito ngayong eleksyon,” he said.
On May 7, Kerwin said he was able to collect P1.5 million and gave it to Marcos in a hotel. It was his father, he said, who personally handed the money to the police official.
“Si Daddy yung tumawag sayo Sir. Yung number mo na ginamit mo na yun, nasa cellphone pa rin yan ni Daddy, tinago namin,” he told Marcos, who was also in the hearing.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, who chairs the committee, reminded Kerwin to address the committee.
“Sorry, sorry your honor. Naano lang ako sa Papa ko, kasi Papa ko yun. Buti kung nawala asawa, makahanap ako ng ibang asawa…” Kerwin said.
Kerwin said they gave the second tranche amounting to P1 million to Marcos the following day, May 8. He said he gave the remaining P500,000 after his father won in the election. CDG