Few mourners at Espinosa’s wake

MAYOR’S WAKE Residents of Albuera town in Leyte province, pay their respects to theirmayor, Rolando Espinosa Sr., who was killed under doubtful circumstances by police officers inside the Baybay jail. —ROBERT DEJON

ALBUERA, Leyte—It doesn’t look like the usual wake of a municipal mayor.

Only about 10 wreaths surround the white coffin displayed at the porch of a sprawling mansion facing the gate of the 5,000-square-meter property in Sitio Tinago, Barangay Benolho, here.

And although it has been more than a week since his body was brought home, only a handful of mourners have gone to pay respects to Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. of Albuera town.

Not a single policeman or tanod was seen at the wake of the fallen chief executive.

Not a single mayor from other towns of Leyte sent a wreath to Espinosa who, the Criminal Investigation and Detection in Eastern Visayas claimed, was killed in a shootout inside his detention cell.

The mayor had surrendered to authorities in August after his name was mentioned as part of a suspected drug personality list by President Duterte. He was later charged for illegal possession of firearms. His son, Kerwin, was recently arrested in Abu Dhabi.

Mariel Espinosa said their gates have been open since her father was brought home on Nov. 6, a day after he was killed inside his detention cell in the subprovincial jail in Baybay City, Leyte.

The police claim the mayor had pulled a gun on them when they came to inspect his cell before dawn on Nov. 5. But critics believe it was an extrajudicial killing and some prisoners reported they heard him begging for his life. President Duterte said he believed the version of the police.

The 10 wreaths that surrounded the coffin came from the Albuera village officials and department heads.

“That’s OK. We understand,” said Mariel about the absence of flowers from officials of other local government units.

She said only a few came to pay their respects because either they were scared for their safety or didn’t want to be associated with a family linked to illegal drugs.

But at the height of their power, nobody seemed to care about the family’s reputation.

People flocked to the mansion of the mayor on weekends when Espinosa opened his house to his neighbors for banquets. When the party was over, the guests went home with P200 to P300 each.

Local officials were among the guests of the Espinosas during parties or cockfight derbies held at kiosks or tents inside the compound.

But after the mayor’s fall from grace, many of their friends distanced themselves from Espinosa as shown by the small number of people who showed up in his wake.

A relative of the mayor, who asked not be named, said the police should have sent at least a security detail since Espinosa had served as the town’s chief executive.

He said Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Albuera police chief, had promised to deploy policemen but so far, none have been sent.

“The family should not be asking for this. It should be given to us considering that he served Albuera as mayor although only briefly,” he added.

Those who came had only good words for the mayor.

“He was a good man,” said Maria Luz Salmo, 30, and a neighbor of the mayor.

Municipal administrator Jocelyn Bertulfo said a flag was flown half-staff outside the municipal hall to honor the mayor who served the town for more than a month.

But for a 69-year-old resident, giving honor to a man who was alleged to have condoned the illegal drug trade was inappropriate.

But the family was thankful for the few who came to pay their last respects.

“We are grateful to them for coming,” said Mariel.

She said Kerwin called her twice—on Nov. 6 and on Nov. 8.

“He just kept on crying. He asked me to bring the cellphone to Daddy’s coffin. I guess he talked with him,” Mariel added.

She had no idea what Kerwin said to their father, she said.

The two calls made by Kerwin only lasted for two minutes each.

Mariel said that they are seeking justice for the murder of their father.