THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has assigned Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido back in Ozamis City, nine days after he was assigned as the Calbayog City police chief from his position in Virac, Catanduanes.

In an order from the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Espenido, effective November 29, is relieved from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Eastern Visayas and re-assigned to PRO-Northern Mindanao, specifically in Ozamiz City.

Espenido took office at the Calbayog City police office following an order of assignment issued by the headquarters on November 20.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said Espenido’s re-assignment was in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to return him in Ozamis City police citing that locals wanted him there.

"Gusto talaga nila (si Espenido), they feel safer with Espenido," the President said.

READ: Duterte teases Espenido's return to Ozamiz

He also threatened to finish off the Parojinogs, a political clan in Ozamiz City linked to illegal drugs and included in Duterte’s drug watchlist.

READ: Duterte warns Parojinog clan: 'I'll finish all of you off'

Espenido was chief of police of Albuera town in Leyte who worked on the arrest of then mayor Rolando Espinosa.

Espinosa was arrested in October 2016 following the raid in their house in Barangay Tinago Dos Subvillage, Benoldo, Albuera on August 10. Authorities recovered at least P88 million worth of illegal drugs and assorted high and low-powered firearms.

On November 5, Espinosa was killed by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives after he allegedly fought it out while serving a search warrant inside his detention cell in Baybay sub-provincial jail in Leyte.

From Albuera, Espenido was transferred in Ozamiz City.

On July 30, 2017, his men conducted an operation which resulted in the killing of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife Susan and at least 10 others.

READ: Ozamiz mayor, 14 others killed in drug raid

Mayor Reynaldo’s brother, Ricardo who was also one of the subject of the said warrant was arrested in May while in hiding in Taiwan.

(SunStar Philippines)