Espenido's reassignment to Iloilo City canceled —PRO6 chief

The reassignment of controversial Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido as officer-in-charge of Iloilo City Police Office has been canceled, Philippine National Police Regional Office 6 announced Saturday.

PRO-6 director Chief Superintendent Cesar Binag confirmed on dzBB that the cancellation of Espenido's reassignment was based on an order he received from the national headquarters.

"Nakatanggap po kami ng official documents, dalawang documents, galing sa national police headquarters, at nakumpirma namin. Ang unang order ay ang pagtatalaga kay Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas as Iloilo City police head," Binag said.

Citing a second document, Binag said, "Pinakakansela rin ang reassignment ni Espenido as officer-in-charge ng Iloilo City."

The cancellation came after the killing of the alleged No. 1 drug lord in Iloilo Richard Prevendido for resisting arrest.

Espenido was the chief of police in Albuera, Leyte when suspected drug lord Mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed while in detention.

Shortly after his transfer to Ozamiz City, suspected drug lord Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. was killed in a police raid.

Earlier, Malacañang denied claims that  Espenido's planned transfer to Iloilo City was to pick on suspected illegal drugs trade protector Mayor Jed Mabilog, who is on Duterte's drug list. —LBG, GMA News