Albuera police chief Espenido transferred to Ozamiz City

Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido on Saturday announced that he has been transferred from Albuera, Leyte to Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental.

"Pls kindly include me in your prayers for my new assignment in OZAMIZ CITY, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL, REGION 10," Espenido said in a text message to GMA News Online.

The police officer said his transfer from Albuera to Ozamiz City became effective on December 8.

GMA News Online is trying to get additional details on the transfer from Espenido and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa had accused that Espenido introduced him to Sen. Leila De Lima.

Despite the accusation, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said that he will not place Espenido under restrictive custody.

Dela Rosa had also claimed that Espinosa had backtracked from his statements against Espenido.

Espinosa, however, issued a statement denying Dela Rosa's claim.

“Ako si Rolan E. Espinosa alyas Kerwin, wala akong binabawi sa aking statement o affidavit. Lalo na tungkol kay Jovie Espenido kase siya naman talaga ang tumawag sa akin kung kaya ako nagkaka-koneksiyon kay Ma’am Leila de Lima,” Espinosa said in a handwritten statement released by his lawyer, Lani Villarino. —report from Amita Legaspi/ALG, GMA News