Gov’t prosecutors ask courts to transfer Kerwin Espinosa to regular jail

Drug personality Kerwin Espinosa at Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, in this file photo taken on November 18, 2016, after his arrest in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) last Oct. 17. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines—State prosecutors have already asked courts to transfer to a regular jail self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa who was recently removed from the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

“We filed a motion to transfer him to regular jail and yes, we will not utilize him [as a witness],” Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento told reporters Friday.

He confirmed that Espinosa was removed from the WPP upon the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recommendation who currently has his custody.

The NBI, in a letter to the WPP recommended that Espinosa be removed from WPP due to several infractions aside from his attempt to escape.

READ: Drug lord Espinosa tried to escape through an air vent at detention facility – NBI 

Last month, the WPP granted NBI’s recommendation and sent a notice of termination.

To date, Espinosa still has nine pending cases in various courts around the country. Of the nine cases, two are for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, the other cases are for illegal possession of firearms and explosives and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Law.

One case for illegal drugs has been dismissed by the Makati Court and is subject to appeal by the government.

Espinosa and his father, Rolando Espinosa Sr., former mayor of Albuera town in Leyte, were hunted by authorities after President Rodrigo Duterte launched his bloody crackdown against the illegal drugs trade in 2016.

The elder Espinosa was jailed in Leyte but was killed inside his detention cell later that year by policemen out to serve a warrant for his arrest for allegedly keeping a firearm in his cell.

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Drug personality Kerwin Espinosa out of the Witness Protection Program? 

JPV