Aguirre: Espinosa slay ‘premeditated, overkill’

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II believed that the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. last November 5 was not only “premeditated” but was also “overkill.”

“I think, it’s overkill. Three or four personnel of the PNP (Philippine National Police) could have done that,” Aguirre said during the hearing on Wednesday of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

He was responding to Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon question if the Justice Secretary would also bring 19 policemen to search a gun inside a penitentiary.

Espinosa was killed while a search warrant was being served in his cell at Baybay, Leyte provincial jail before dawn of November 5.

Asked then if all circumstances would lead to the conclusion that Espinosa’s death was premeditated, Aguirre said: I think that’s premeditated.”

“From what happened, from what they had done, what they did was premeditated,” he added.

READ: Senators grill cops on ‘premeditated’ killing of Espinosa

Aguirre also found it “very unusual” that the team that raided Espinosa’s cell had to apply for a search warrant, and that the scene of the crime operatives (Soco) were called even before the raid was done.

“As matter of fact, instead calling for the Soco if they really want to enforce or implement a search warrant, they should have called for the barangay officials in the area,” he said.

The Justice Secretary said he would also conduct a search warrant during day time and not before dawn like what the police did when they served the search warrant against Espinosa.

“If you have nothing to hide, you usually conduct a search warrant during day time,” Aguirre added. CDG

READ: 2 judges in hot water over Espinosa killing