Dela Rosa relieves cops in Espinosa raid amid Senate probe

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has sacked the 24 cops involved in the search inside a Leyte jail that led to the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

Dela Rosa assured that there would be no whitewash in the investigation of Espinosa’s death, which raised many questions due to its questionable circumstances.

His announcement came while the Senate investigation on the raid was ongoing.

“After being appraised of the initial results of the investigation on the incident resulting to the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, I have directed Police Director Fernando Mendez Jr. of the Directorate for Personnel and Record Management to immediately issue the order for the relief of 18 other Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 8 (CIDG8) and six Regional Maritime Unit 8 (RMU8) personnel involved in the operation effective immediately,” Dela Rosa said.

“Let me assure everyone that there will be no whitewash in the investigation; ferry out the truth; and slap appropriate sanctions or charges to our personnel who have committed violations,” he said.

READ: Senate opens probe on Espinosa slay

PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos read the statement of Dela Rosa, who is currently on official leave as he is part of the Philippine delegation in Malaysia and Thailand, which President Rodrigo Duterte is going to visit.

Dela Rosa said the 24 relieved personnel will be reassigned at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Crame to face ongoing investigation by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) and the CIDG.

The PNP also vowed to fully cooperate with any investigating body.

Among those relieved were:

CIDG 8 personnel

1. Marvin Marcos
2. Santi Noel Matira
3. Chief Insp. Leo Laraga
4. Senior Insp. Eric Constantino
5. Senior Insp. Deogracias Diaz III
6. Senior Insp. Fritz Blanco
7. SPO4 Melvin Cayobit
8. SPO4 Juanito Duarte
9. SPO2 Alphinor Serrano Jr.
10. SPO1 Benjamin Dacallos
11. PO3 Norman Abellanosa
12. PO3 Johnny Ibañez
13. PO2 Neil Centino
14. PO1 Lloyd Ortigueza
15. PO1 Bhernard Orpilla
16. PO1 Kristal Jane Gisma
17. PO1 Jerlan Cabiyaan
18. PO1 Divine Grace Songalia

RMU personnel:

1. Chief Insp. Calixto Canillas Jr.
2. Lucresito Candilosas
3. SPO2 Antonio Docil
4. SPO1 Mark Christian Cadilo
5. PO2 John Ruel Doculan
6. PO2 Jaime Bacsal

Marcos and Laraga of the CIDG Region 8 were present at the Senate hearing. CDG/rga

READ: Napolcom ordered to launch parallel probe into Espinosa slay