THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has tightened its security measures in jail following the foiled attempt of self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa and two other detainees to escape from the NBI detention center.
NBI Director Eric Distor said Monday, January 17, 2022, that concerned NBI units received information that Espinosa and two other detainees were planning to escape on Thursday, January 13.
He said this prompted his men to conduct an inspection on the detention cells and found a deformed exhaust fan located at the ceiling.
When the exhaust fan was removed, inspectors found a hole fit for a detainee to escape.
“In view of this incident, security measures at the jail have since been tightened with regular inspection of all jail facilities,” Distor said.
Espinosa is facing charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2012.
He was initially detained at the custodial center of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame, Quezon City following his arrival from Abu Dhabi where he was arrested in October 2016, after his father, late Albuera Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Jr., implicated him in illegal drugs operations.
He, however, requested the court for his transfer to the NBI detention facility for protection after he tagged several cops involved in his illegal transactions.
Espinosa was transferred to the NBI facility in December 2016 where he was also placed under provisional coverage of the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program.
The older Espinosa was gunned down by cops inside his detention cell in Baybay City jail, a month after his son’s arrest. He allegedly fought it out with the policemen who were then serving a search warrant against him over illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms. (SunStar Philippines)