Aside from possible criminal complaint
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The seven police officers tagged as ‘persons of interest’ (POIs) in the recent assassination attempt on mayoralty candidate Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa are to face administrative charges, even as the Philippine National Police (PNP) continues its investigation into their possible criminal liability.
Col. Dionisio Apas Jr., Leyte police provincial director, said that administrative complaints are being pursued against the officers, who include a policewoman, all of whom are assigned in Ormoc City.
He added that criminal charges, particularly for frustrated murder, may still be filed once the ongoing investigation yields solid evidence.
“During our command conference, it was emphasized that administrative charges must be filed against them. If found guilty, they should be dismissed from the service,” Apas said, noting that these proceedings could progress faster than the criminal case.
The administrative move runs parallel with the PNP’s probe into the April 10 shooting in Barangay Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte, where Espinosa was hit in the chest while campaigning. His sister and running mate, Mariel Marinay, and a minor were also wounded in the attack.
Apas clarified that the police are being meticulous in their investigation, especially in establishing the POIs’ involvement in the attempted slay.
He emphasized that “certainty of conviction” is a prerequisite for filing a frustrated murder complaint.
“There is no deadline given to us because the requirements in filing a case are stringent. If we rush and fail to present solid evidence, the complaint could be dismissed,” he warned.
Apas urged Espinosa’s camp to cooperate more actively by presenting witnesses who could help clarify the events surrounding the attack.
“If they have witnesses, they should send them to us so we can resolve this incident early,” he said.
While criminal charges are still being considered, the Leyte police have already filed complaints of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Commission on Elections’ gun ban against the seven POIs before the Leyte Prosecutor’s Office. The officers were arrested inside a private compound in the same barangay where the attack occurred.
All 14 firearms recovered from the group tested positive for gunpowder residue, according to forensic results. Nine of these were found to be loose or unregistered. However, paraffin tests on the seven officers yielded negative results, Apas added.
Currently, the officers are under restrictive custody at the PNP regional headquarters in Palo, Leyte, for security reasons.
Apas clarified this move amid criticism from Espinosa, who earlier questioned why the POIs were not held at the Albuera police station, within the arrest jurisdiction.
“They remain POIs, not suspects. That’s why no inquest proceedings were conducted,” Apas explained. “The transfer was a security decision, not a procedural flaw.”
As of this writing, Espinosa has expressed fears of a possible whitewash of the case.
Meanwhile, Apas said the investigation is also probing the motive behind the attack, although no definitive theory has emerged.
“We are looking into several possible motives. As of now, we cannot establish or ascertain a particular motive,” he said, stressing the importance of verifiable proof.
JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T. AMAZONA
