CIDG-8 head relieved over Espinosa jail slay

Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. when he surrendered to PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in early August 2016. (INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO/ JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS)

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — The Philippine National Police has started to take action against police officers involved in the raid that led to the killing of detained Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside his cell at the Leyte sub-provincial jail on Saturday.

Supt. Marvin Marcos was relieved as the head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Eastern Visayas (CIDG-8) effective Monday.

Chief Insp. Ma. Bella Rentuaya, Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) information officer of the Philippine National Police, said the relief of Marcos was ordered by the CIDG headquarters.

Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Philippine National Police chief, has ordered the CIDG to investigate the raid and subsequent shootout that led to the death of Espinosa, a drug trafficking suspect who had become a key witness in the government’s efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute drug traffickers and their protectors in government. Espinosa had executed an affidavit naming the alleged drug trafficking protectors in government, including Senator Leila de Lima.

Rentuya said the relief of Marcos was part of the standard operating procedure in the wake of the investigation being conducted on the death of Espinosa, father of suspected drug lord Roland “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr.

“This is part of the SOP (standard operating procedure) to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident,” she added.

The CIDG 8 reported that Espinosa, 54, was gunned down early Saturday morning after he shot it out with the members of the CIDG-8 who went to the jail facility to serve a search warrant for his alleged possession of firearm and shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).

Also killed was Raul Yap, a native of Albuera town who was detained for drug peddling.

The death of Espinosa came as a shock to Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, police director for Eastern Visayas, because the CIDG-8 failed to coordinate with his office.

He immediately ordered the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) to conduct a probe to determine if proper procedure was followed during the implementation of the warrant.

Rentuaya also disclosed that Camp Crame has issued a “guideline,” directing all members of the police organization to “refrain” from issuing any statement regarding the fatal shootout.

“There is a guideline issued for all PNP to refrain from issuing views or comments, pro or against, about the incident as an investigation is under way,” she said.

A team from the CIDG in Manila arrived on Sunday to investigate the killing of Espinosa and Yap.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla called for a “separate and independent” probe on the fatal shootout.

The National Bureau of Investigation, he added, could look into the reported raid, subsequent shootout and death of Espinosa to “dispel any innuendos and to assure the public that it would be a fair and transparent investigation.”

He announced that he has ordered the provincial administration office to conduct its own probe on the matter.

Asked for his reaction on reports that his name was on the list of 226 persons who allegedly received payola from Espinosa, Petilla expressed his surprise because he met the mayor only once – on June 27 during the mass oath-taking of newly elected officials of the province, at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo town.

“But prior to this meeting, he wanted to join our party (Liberal Party) when he ran for mayor, which I rejected considering the issue,” Petilla said, referring to Espinosa’s supposed involvement in illegal drugs.

The governor said he has asked for a copy of Espinosa’s affidavit after he learned from social media that his name was on the list.

Leyte Vice Gov. Carlo Loreto, cousin of the governor, also denied the allegation linking him as a drug protector.

Asked if he would submit to any investigation, Loreto said “do we have a choice?”

Before he submitted himself to police custody, Espinosa executed an affidavit, identifying the people who were either involved or had given protection to his son’s Kerwin’s drug operations.

The names reached 226 but only 47 have been charged at the Office of the Ombudsman, at the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office and the RIAS.  SFM

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