TACLOBAN CITY- For leading a controversial raid at the Leyte sub-provincial jail that led to the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., the regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Supt. Marvin Marcos was sacked from his post.
Marcos led the 15-men CIDG team that went to the Baybay City-based jail facility on November 5 and conducted the raid that resulted to the death of Espinosa, father of Kerwin, Eastern Visayas drug lord.
The operation of the CIDG was by virtue of a search warrant based on their information that Espinosa was keeping a firearm.
Also killed during the raid was Raul Yap, known to be a drug pusher.
Aside from Marcos also relieved were Supt. Santi Noel Matira; Chief Inspector Leo Laraga, who applied the warrants; Senior Inspectors Eric Constantino,Deogracias Diaz III and Fritz Blanco; SPO4s Melvin Cayobit,Juanito Duarte;SPO2 Alphinor Serrano, Jr.; SPO1 Benjamin Dacallos; PO3s Norman Abellanosa and Johnny Ibanez;PO2 Neil Centino and PO1s Lloyd Ortigueza, Bhernard Jane Gisma,Jerlan Cabiyaan and Divine Grace Songalia.
The relief order was issued by Police Director General Rolando “Bato” de la Rosa.
All were assigned at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Crame.
The death of Espinosa sparked a Senate inquiry with senators describing the act as “premeditated” with the intent to kill Espinosa, 54.
The senators questioned the raid of the CIDG raising questions like why they have to secure a search warrant from a court outside Leyte; disarming jail guards and seeking SOCO (scene of the crime operatives) team ahead of the time Espinosa and Yap were declared dead.
Marcos, however, maintains that their operation was a “legitimate operation” meant to recover contrabands in possession by Espinosa and Yap.
“We did not plant any evidence nor take away the hard drive of the CCTV of the jail facility,” the axed CIDG chief said.
A three-man team of CIDG- Manila composed of Senior Superintendent Ramon Rafael, lawyer Virgilio Pablico of the CIDG legal division, and Senior Police Officer 1 Rudy Gahar) conducted their own investigation over the incident. (JAZMIN BONIFACIO)
