Dela Rosa to place cops in Espinosa raid under restrictive custody

PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa speaks to alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa during a Senate hearing on Nov. 23. RICHARD REYES/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday said he would immediately place all 24 operatives involved in the raid that killed Albuera, Leyte, Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. under restrictive custody.

“Yes, your honor. Right away after this hearing I will do that. I will confine them at Camp Crame,” Dela Rosa said before the Senate inquiry on the questionable search operation that led to Espinosa’s death on Nov. 5.

Dela Rosa ordered their relief during the start of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs on Nov. 10. They have since been assigned at the PNP’s personnel holding and accounting unit.

READ: Dela Rosa relieves cops in Espinosa raid amid Senate probe

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero quizzed Dela Rosa about his action on the group of Supt. Marvin Marcos, who led the Baybay sub-provincial jail raid that killed Espinosa.

The mayor surrendered to the PNP in August following his inclusion in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of government officials with drug ties.

A representative from the PNP’s legal service said the police chief, even the regional and police directors, had the power to place any personnel on restricted limits within the parameters of any police camp for grave misconduct or serious irregularity in the performance of duty.

The PNP’s legal service said the lapses committed by the operatives led by Marcos, Supt. Santi Matira and Chief Insp. Leo Laraga could be considered a grave misconduct offense.