LET everybody be forewarned that those who are still into the illegal drug business should better think twice, said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on the assignment at the Bacolod City Police Office of Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido.
Lacson said that many are aware of the reputation of Espenido.
“Obviously, his previous assignments became really popular because of his war on drugs. So that he will be assigned here in Bacolod City let everybody be forewarned that are still into the business should better think twice already. The assignment already tells us that the war on drugs will be further pushed here in Bacolod City,” Lacson said.
However, Lacson clarified that Espenido’s assignment is really not his call but by the Philippine National Police (PNP) hierarchy.
“The thing is we should not be afraid if you are not into illegal drug trade business so again it’s not my call but by the PNP hierarchy,” he said.
For his part, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer believes the re-assignment of Espenido to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is sanctioned by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Ferrer said Espenido’s assignment is a welcome move.
Ferrer added he believes Espenido is fully-capable in dealing a huge blow to the city’s illegal drugs problem, as well as other illicit activities.
Police Lieutenant Ariel Pico, spokesperson of BCPO, said that they do not have an official order from the PRO-Western Visayas about Espenido’s assignment here.
He added that they cannot confirm the report because they do not have an official order.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, spokesperson of PRO-Western Visayas, earlier said that they received a memorandum for the reassignment of Espenido from Ozamis City Police Office to the PRO-Western Visayas.
She said that Espenido will be reassigned to BCPO and it’s up to the BCPO, director Police Colonel Henry Binas, on what position to give.
In 2016, Espenido was the chief of police in Albuera, Leyte when the town’s then mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was tagged as drug suspect, was shot to death inside the jail in Baybay City.
The following year, Espenido was reassigned to Ozamiz City where then mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, who was also linked to illegal drugs, was also killed in a police operation. (TDE)