THE reassignment of Ozamiz City police director Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City is part of the campaign against illegal drugs of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacanang said Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella clarified that Duterte's decision to designate Espenido to Iloilo City was not meant to focus on Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who is allegedly involved in the drugs trade.
Abella said Espenido has been tasked to head the police force in Iloilo City, in a bid to ensure that the government's drugs prevention and rehabilitation program are fully implemented.
"I don't think there is any need to single out Mabilog in that sense, but it is simply part of the President's overall campaign against illegal drugs," Abella told a press conference.
"On the other hand, Espenido is going to be part of the whole government's approach, which has something to do with prevention, rehabilitation. So it's going to be a whole government approach. He is expected to work with the rest of the whole government," he added.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Espenido's new assignment was effective August 29.
"He has no choice he has to go. Hanapan natin ng magaling na opisyal (na papalit sakanya sa Ozamiz). Di pa na neutralize kuratong baleleng," Dela Rosa said in an interview following the police service anniversary of the Police Regional Office-Central Luzon in Pampanga.
Dela Rosa said he will not resist the President's decision to transfer Espenido, saying he "is the right man for the job."
"Alam naman ng Panginoon kung malinis sila o hindi...Wag silang matakot. Kung totoo na gumawa sila ng mabuti, bakit matakot sila," he said referring to Mabilog and other officials involved in drugs.
Espenido's new assignment stirred controversy as he was the police chief in Albuera when the town mayor, Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed in his detention cell in November 2016. During his stint as Ozamiz police head, the town mayor, Reynaldo Parojinog, was also slain in a drug raid.
Espinosa, Parojinog, and Mabilog were identified by Duterte as among the government officials involved in the narcotics trade.
Duterte reminded Espenido to follow lawful exercise of the mandate now that he has been assigned to head Iloilo City police.
The President also cautioned Mabilog to end his connections to drug syndicates, reiterating his warning that all drug personalities may face death under his watch.
"Mayor [Mabilog], you are accused [of being involved in narcotics trade]. For the longest time, you are included in the updated [drug] list. Frankly, you may want to stop your [drug] connections while nothing is happening yet," Duterte said in an interview in Pampanga City on Monday.
"If you are not content on your salary, then leave. Be a drug lord instead. You would get billions of pesos but in turn, you will get killed," he added.
Abella said Espenido has been assigned to Iloilo City because "his work in Ozamiz is done."
He also assured the public that with Espenido's new assignment "full respect for law" would remain in effect.
"We call on our people to united with the state in our campaign against drugs through both police action and drug prevention and rehabilitation, with full respect for law, for human rights, and the rule of law, which is the pledge of the President," he said.
Mission in Ozamiz City 99% complete
Espenido meanwhile said his mission in Ozamiz is almost accomplished.
In a chance interview at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Espenido said he needs to fully accomplish first his mission in Ozamiz City before he assumes post in Iloilo City.
He said he has yet to receive the formal order assigning him to Visayas.
"Meron pa. Meron pa yung kapatid, meron pa yung pamangkin," he said, referring to the Parojinogs linked to illegal drugs. "Pero atleast, 99 percent tapos na."
"Kawawa yung mga tao kung di natin ituloy. Pinaghirapan natin umpisahan yung Ozamiz tapos iiwanan natin kaagad, baka bumalik yung di maganda so lubus-lubusan lang. Tapusin natin," he said.
Espenido said before leaving Ozamiz he will make sure the police chief to be assigned in the city is competent and can continue what he had started.
Espenido refused to answer if he indeed was the one who requested to be transferred to Iloilo as said by the President.
"'Wag na. Hindi naman yun kasali sa usapan natin. Kung sakaling meron mang request, ano ngayon? Atleast alam ninyong naasign ako dun. 'Yun ang abangan natin," Espenido said.
Espenido has been known for leading the anti-drug operation against city mayors in Duterte's narco-list.
Also in the said list is Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who earlier said he welcome Espenido's reassignment to Iloilo.
Asked what he will in his first day in his new assignment, Espenido said: "Mag-pray talaga."
"Magdasal para ma-comply natin karapat-datpat natin icompy sa Iloilo in reference sa mga information na shabulized yung city na yun," added Espenido. (With Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/Keith Calayag/SunStar Philippines)