TACLOBAN CITY- Government and police officials named by embattled Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. in his affidavit are to be charged for administrative and criminal complaints before the Office of Ombudsman in Cebu.
This was confirmed by Leyte Prosecutor Arlene Cordovez who got the information from Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, police chief of Albuera.
Espenido was summoned by Cordovez at her office on Thursday (Sept.8) to submit certain documents needed on the charges they have filed earlier against Espinosa.
Cases for illegal possession and selling of illegal drugs and possession of firearms and explosives were filed on August 11 against Espinosa by the Albuera police, as represented by Espenido.
“May plano sila, the police of Albuera, to file administrative and criminal cases before the Ombudsman in Cebu,” Cordovez said.
She added that the affidavit executed by Espinosa and his witnesses will be used as basis in the filing of charges against some police officers and local officials by Espenido before the anti-graft court.
In his affidavit, Espinosa reportedly named several elected and police officials and even media personalities as his alleged protectors as he and son Kerwin alledegely engaged in their illegal activities.
Espinosa subscribed the affidavit on August 24 at the provincial prosecutor’s office accompanied by Regional Police Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, Leyte police director S/supt. Franco Simborio and Espenido himself.
Espinosa, serving on his first term as mayor of Albuera, is the father of Kerwin, tagged as the top drug lord in Eastern Visayas.
The town mayor is now under the protective police custody and stays at the Albuera police station while his son Kerwin remains at large.
A shoot to sight order was earlier issued by PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa against Kerwin.
Meantime, the camp of Espinosa had submitted their counter affidavits on the criminal complaints filed against him before the provincial prosecutor’s office.
The counter affidavits were received by Cordovez last Wednesday (Sept.7) afternoon sent through LBC by Espinosa’s lawyer, Lailani Villarino who is based in Cebu City.
The cases stemmed from the discovery of explosives and firearms and shabu at Espinosa’s house during police raids conducted last July 28 and August 10, respectively.
On the said raids, packs of shabu valued at P1.8 million and P88 million were separately discovered inside Espinosa’s house as well as more than 30 firearms and explosives. By: JOEY A. GABIETA
