Leyte mayor Espinosa tells PNP of son’s links to drug trade

Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa has spilled the beans on his son Kerwin's alleged involvement in the trade of illegal drugs, Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa announced on Tuesday.

Dela Rosa said the order for the authorities to "shoot on sight" remains for Kerwin.

“The order to shoot on site is still active hanggang hindi siya mag-surrender,” Dela Rosa said in a news conference, in which he presented the local chief executive.

"Kung nakikinig ka ngayon Kerwin, you better surrender or die," he added.

Dela Rosa said there was no case against Espinosa but added that the mayor wanted to be placed under his custody because he feared for his life.

“Right now wala siyang warrant of arrest. We cannot detain him although he is fearing for his safety that is why he surrendered. Nagpapa-custody siya sa akin,” he said.

Dela Rosa instead said he will turn over Espinosa to the Crime Investigation and Detection Group for investigation.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said Espinosa admitted to him that Kerwin is into drug dealing.

"Inaamin niya na ang kanyang anak is really into drug dealing," Dela Rosa said.

“Wala tayong pinaghahawakan na kaso sa kanya, kay Kerwin, but still inamin ng kanyang father na he is really into drug dealing in that part of the country, particularly Eastern Visayas,” he added.

Dela Rosa said Espinosa told him that Kerwin was getting his supply of illegal drugs from Peter Co, who is currently detained at the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison.

“In fact, inaamin niya na si Kerwin Espinosa is getting his supply of drugs from Peter Co who is right now detained at the Bilibid,” Dela Rosa said.

Co, along with Peter Lim and Herbert Colangco, have been identified by President Rodrigo Duterte as the top drug lords in the country.

‘Okay’ with killing Kerwin

The tough-talking police official asked Espinosa if it would be okay if the police killed his son Kerwin if he tried to fight arresting officers.

“Kung ayaw mag-surrender ni Kerwin at siya ay lumaban, papatayin namin siya. Okay lang sayo?” Dela Rosa asked.

“Okay,” Espinosa replied.

“Okay lang sa’yo ah… Papatayin namin siya ah?” Dela Rosa again asked.

“Okay, okay… Opo,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa recalled warning Kerwin of his long background of dealing illegal drugs when Duterte and Dela Rosa took office. He said Kerwin would not listen.

“Na-warningan ko siya. He [has his] own decision. Di ko siya pwuedeng hawakan dahil malaki na siya at mayroon na siyang kanyang pag-iisip,” Espinosa said.

Dela Rosa, for his part, said the manhunt operation against Kerwin was geared towards preventing illegal drugs affect the lives of Filipinos and not on the premise of a warrant of arrest.

“Ang manhunt is not on the premise of a warrant of arrest. Ang manhunt natin sa kanya is to make sure that he cannot continue destroying the lives and future of hundreds of Filipinos, particularly Filipinos in Eastern Visayas,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said Espinosa told him that Kerwin may have already changed his appearance.

"Yung mukha daw ng kanyang anak na si Kerwin ay nagpa-plastic surgery to look brand new or assume other identity," Dela Rosa said.

He again cautioned Kerwin to submit himself to the authorities when he is apprehended or face the consequence of getting killed in case he threatens or resists them.

“Ang mapapanghawakan lang naming niyan is alam namin na siya ay drug lord at pag siya ay pupuntahan ng pulis at siya ay lumaban at may armas, talagang mamatay siya. Wag siyang lumaban para di siya mamatay,” Dela Rosa said.

100% cooperation from Espinosa

Meanwhile, the PNP chief said Espinosa promised his "100% willingness" to cooperate with the government’s war on illegal drugs in his town.

“With the promise to do his best in joining our war against drugs-- Yun lang pinanghahawakan ko sa kanya ngayon, yung kanyang pagiging lalaki, may isang salita,” Dela Rosa said.

In the instance he backs out, Espinosa said he was willing to get killed if he would not cooperate.

“Patayin ako ni General Dela Rosa pag nag-back out,” he said.

“I’ll take his word. Siya na mismo [nagsabi] na patayin ko siya. Papatayin ko talaga siya pag niloloko niya ako, niloloko niya presidente. May kalalagyan siya,” Dela Rosa replied.

Dela Rosa said he was giving Espinosa two months to eliminate the illegal drug trade in Albuera.

He added Espinosa was free to return to his town if he already felt safe.

“Umuwi siya doon mag-mayor siya ulit. Anytime, kung pakiramdam niya safe na niya," Dela Rosa said.

"Ngayon siguro pag lumabas yung balita na nagsurrender na siya, yung mga tao na nakikinig kahapon sa order ng presidente na shoot on site, siguro kakalma na hindi na magkakainteres sa buhay niya,” he added.

Dela Rosa lauded the Espinosa's positive response when Dela Rosa appointed a stern Albuera chief of police.

“Ngayon lang sila natakot na nilagyan natin ng chief of police na lalaban sa kanila, may president na nagsasabing he has to surrender or die," Dela Rosa said.

"Natakot siya. Ang response naman niya is very positive, talagang mag-cooperate daw siya,” he added.

"He promised to cooperate with the government in the war against drugs. He promised to me that given the chance, to go back to his hometown, and govern his municipality, he will really be zero tolerant in drugs," Dela Rosa said.—Joseph Tristan Roxas/NB, GMA News