TACLOBAN CITY-Security personnel have been provided to the family of murdered Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr. by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
This was disclosed by Chief Inspector Ma. Bella Rentuaya, regional information officer of the PNP, as clamored by of Espinosa.
Earlier, the relatives of Espinosa sought for their own security detail in the aftermath of the killing of Espinosa inside the Leyte subprovincial jail in Baybay City during an alleged shootout by the members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on November 5.
“Since Saturday, the family has been provided with security detail coming from the Leyte provincial police,” Rentuaya said.
Four policemen have been assigned to look after the security of the family. Rentuaya, however, declined to provide details on the security arrangement given to the family.
The family fears for their own security after Espinosa, 54, was gunned down. They claimed that Espinosa was “intentionally” killed. They, however, declined to say, who they suspect to be behind the murder of the former mayor.
A member of the family, who asked not to be named, said that without any police security, they could be an easy target coming from their “enemies.”
The family are still preoccupied with the wake of Espinosa at their residence in Barangay Binolho.
No internment has been scheduled by the family and where Espinosa would be burried.
While Espinosa served as mayor of Albuera, his siblings are either living in the United States or in Cebu where their father originally came from.
His mother is a native of Albuera.
The killing of Espinosa sparked a Senate inquiry by the committee on public order and dangerous drugs with Senate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who chairs the committee, as a case of extrajudicial killing (EJK).
Espinosa, prior to his imprisonment and death, executed an affidavit naming several high profile personalities whom he claimed to have provided them protectors for their illegal drug trade.
Among them were former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima who denied the allegation.
Among Leyte officials named as alleged protectors were Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, Vice Gov. Carlo Loreto, Rep. Vicente Veloso and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez.
All have denied the allegations with Gomez filing on Wednesday an administrative complaint before the National Police Commission for linking him on the illicit drug trade.
Gomez filed the case against Albuera police chief, Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Inspector Leo Laraga of the CIDG who named during the Senate inquiry and PO3 Hydie Yutrago.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
