Bato threatens to evict Espinosas from White House
Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. arrives at CIDG, Camp Crame. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON
Come in or get out.
This was the ultimatum that Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa gave the Espinosa family days after alleged Eastern Visayas drug lord Kerwin Espinosa ignored the police’s advice for him to surrender.
Airing a message to the fugitive Espinosa during a media interview, Dela Rosa warned that he would evict the rest of the Espinosa family from the PNP’s White House today (Saturday) if he failed to show up.
“If you don’t come in today, if you don’t surrender, then your family will be put in jeopardy. I will evict them from the White House and send them home. Bahala na sila sa buhay nila (I’m washing my hands off them),” Dela Rosa warned.
Kerwin’s father, Abuera, Leyte, Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., his wife and daughter have sought shelter at the PNP chief’s residence in Camp Crame, Quezon City, since the Espinosa patriarch, a “high-value” illegal drugs target in his area, surrendered to Dela Rosa on Tuesday following a “shoot-on-sight” warning from President Duterte.
Article continues after this advertisementExonerating himself, Espinosa said it was his son, Kerwin, who was the drug lord in the Eastern Visayas region. The younger Espinosa remains at large despite his father’s plea for him to surrender.
Article continues after this advertisementDela Rosa, however, admitted that more than just Kerwin’s lack of cooperation, it was the Espinosa family’s smoking habit that had exhausted his hospitality.
READ: Fed up ‘Bato’ to Kerwin Espinosa: Surrender tonight or else…
“Grabe manigarilyo sila, the entire family. Eh ang baho na (it stinks!) The room smells terrible. I can’t take it anymore,” the police chief complained.
The Espinosas have apparently been staying in the rooms of Dela Rosa’s children. “I pity my kids. They’d have asthma attacks when they get back from Davao,” Dela Rosa said.
The PNP official admitted that he allowed the family to stay at the White House, as “they had nowhere to sleep. And I am only human.”
Aside from booting out the Espinosas, Dela Rosa warned Kerwin of dire consequences if he remained at large. “Magdasal ka na at bahala ka sa buhay mo (Start praying for your life).”
He added: “I’ve run out of patience.”
Dela Rosa said pursuit operations against the younger Espinosa would continue, with the PNP set to coordinate with authorities in Malaysia, where Kerwin is reportedly in hiding.
READ: Bato: Espinosa son sent surrender feelers
On Friday afternoon, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Chief Supt. Roel Obusan said their Leyte counterpart had already filed complaints of illegal drug trade and illegal possession of firearms against the Espinosa father and son. TVJ
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