3 cops involved in Mayor Espinosa’s killing regularly got payola from Kerwin – Lacson 

Three cops involved in the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa regularly received payola from his son, Kerwin, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday. 

Lacson, chair of the Senate public order committee investigating Espinosa’s death, said Kerwin’s draft affidavit indicates the names of “Marcos, Laraga and Matira.” 

“Kung nasa payola nila ang mga na-involve sa pagkamatay ng tatay niya, posibleng may pinagtatakpan. Tutal, identified naman sino talaga pumatay sa tatay niya pero he mentioned Marcos, Laraga, Matira in his affidavit na siyang kumukuha ng regular na payola from him,” Lacson said. 

“‘Yan ang initial na nakita ko na kaya sinabi kong posibleng lumiwanag ang motibo kung bakit napatay si Mayor Espinosa,” he added. 

Lacson was referring to Supt. Marvin Marcos, the relieved head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 8, Supt. Santi Noel Matira, the supervising officer of the CIDG operation, and Chief Inspector Leo Laraga, the team leader of the operation. 

The CIDG claims Mayor Espinosa was killed in a shootout when they tried to serve a search warrant on him inside his detention cell at the Baybay sub-provincial jail on November 5. 

The three policemen attended the Senate public order committee’s first hearing on November 10. 

Lacson recalled asking Supt. Marcos during the hearing if he knew Kerwin, which the CIDG official deneid. 

“But as per affidavit, meron silang direct na pag-ugnay kasi kasama sa payola si Marcos. He also mentioned Laraga and Matira. Ang 3 CIDG na involved sa pag-raid at pagpatay, naroon allegedly as per Kerwin Espinosa sa draft affidavit,” he said. 

Senator Manny Pacquiao, who talked to Kerwin upon his return from Abu Dhabi, also said that Supt. Marcos received P1.5 million from Kerwin to allegedly fund his wife’s campaign. 

Lacson, former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said he is saddened that police officials are establishing connections with drug lords instead of arresting them. 

Meanwhile, Lacson said Senator Leila de Lima was mentioned in Kerwin’s affidavit. 

De Lima supposedly received P8 million through different tranches, an allegation which the senator denied.  Pacquiao also made the same disclosure earlier in the day.

Lacson said there is more reason now to ensure Kerwin’s protection. 

“Not for anything but to really find out gaano kalawak ang influence,” Lacson said. 

Kerwin is set to face the Senate inquiry Wednesday. He earlier vowed to to “tell all” in relation to the personalities allegedly involved in illegal drug trade. — RSJ, GMA News