Bato says Espenido to remain in Ozamiz despite 'requests' for him from other areas

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Friday said he will let Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido finish his mission in Ozamiz City first before reassigning him to another area.

Dela Rosa admitted that he is now receiving several requests for Espenido to be transferred to their city or province.

"I was just responding to the demand o request, marami kasing lugar na nagre-request na doon i-transfer si Espenido," Dela Rosa said in an interview on dzBB. "Sabi ko, tapusin muna 'yung trabaho niya diyan sa Ozamiz."

He said he would let Espenido "stabilize" Ozamiz City first before giving him a new assignment.

Espenido led the police team in the July 30 operation on the compound owned by the Parojinog political family that left 16 people, including Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr and his wife Susan and two siblings, dead.

Officials claim the shootout occurred after the Parojinogs' bodyguards fired at the policemen, who were executing a search warrant for the illegal firearms allegedly stashed by the family.

Dela Rosa said Ozamiz residents oppose the transfer of Espenido, who was also among the policemen linked to the killing of detained Albuera mayor Ronaldo Espinosa, for fear that criminals might regroup and sow terror in their city again.

"'Yung mga tao sa Ozamiz nagre-react, ayaw nila pumayag na umalis siya doon. Baka biglang rumesbak ‘yung Kuratong Baleleng, Ozamiz group, maghasik ng lagim doon," he said.

"So gusto rin nila safe 'yung lugar nila kaya sila ang number one nago-oppose kung ilipat natin si Espenido," he added.

Both Espinosa and Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. were on President Rodrigo Duterte's list of alleged narco-politicians.

Espenido, who was awarded by Duterte for his accomplishment in Ozamiz, had earlier said he is ready to be transferred anywhere and has told mayors involved in illegal drug operations to resign if they want to live longer. —Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News