Charges filed vs personalities linked to Kerwin Espinosa

THE police in Albuera, Leyte, lodged on October 12 a complaint against several government officials and civilians linked to the illegal drug operation of alleged Eastern Visayas top drug Lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa.

The Albuera police, led by Chief Inspector Jovi Espenido, filed the complaint before the Ombudsman Regional Office in Eastern Visayas around 5 p.m. of October 12.

Named in the charge sheet were Senator Leila de Lima (former Justice secretary), and Councilor Nelson Pepito Jr. of Barangay Binogho, Albuera, Leyte, for allegedly protecting the illegal drug operation of Kerwin, who is still at large.

Espenido also lodged on the same day another complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office in Tacloban City against Kerwin, a lawyer, three prominent personalities, and three journalists.

Charged were Cebuano lawyer and incumbent Ronda, Cebu Vice Mayor Jonnah John B. Ungab; businessman Eufrocino “Winnie” Codilla Jr.; Victor Espina Jr., the brother of retired Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina; retired Bureau of Jail Management and Penology official Joseph Nunez; and three journalists Lalaine Jimenea (publisher of EV Mail), John Kevin Pilapil (SunStar Superbalita and CNN Philippines correspondent) and Leo Dumon (dyKC and Sunday Punch) for allegedly receiving “drug money” from Kerwin, in violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

De Lima repeatedly denied her involvement, saying, “The evidence was just fabricated” and aimed to destroy her credibility.

SunStar sought reactions from the respondents, but most of them said they have not received yet copies of the charge sheet and “will just answer in a proper venue.”

In a phone interview Friday, Espenido said that people he included in the charge sheet were the same people identified by Kerwin’s father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., in a sworn statement detailing Kerwin’s drug operation.

Among the evidences used in the filing of the case against the respondents were the “blue book” and testimonies that linked the respondents to the Espinosa family.

Espinido said at least 84 government officials, including lawmakers and policemen, and more than 150 civilians have been linked to the drug syndicate of Kerwin.

The police are still gathering enough evidence before filing other cases against the still unnamed personalities, said Espinido.

Mayor Espinosa, who was arraigned last October 12 at Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Baybay City, pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms.

During the arraignment, Espinosa's counsel, lawyer Lailanie Villarmino, filed the following motions in favor of her client.

* Motion to quash on the arrest warrant served to him for allegedly violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

* Motion to transfer his custody to the Albuera police station

* Motion to fix the amount of bail for the case on violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Prosecutors were given five days to decide on said motions filed by the mayor’s camp. The next hearing was scheduled on October 19, Espenido said.

The Leyte’s "narco" mayor was brought back to the Leyte sub-provincial jail shortly after the hearing Wednesday.

Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa earlier said that the filing of charges had been delayed because they are “strengthening the evidence” against the named suspects.

He added that the affidavits of some former allies of the Espinosas corroborated the claim of the mayor that the respondents were receiving protection money from Kerwin. (Sunnex)

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