Duterte believes Espenido is clean, sees propaganda to derail war on drugs —Palace

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido continues to enjoy the trust of President Rodrigo Duterte despite his inclusion on the list of police officials suspected to be involved in illegal drugs, the presidential spokesman has said.

Secretary Salvador Panelo said Duterte believed that the allegations against Espenido were "untrue."

"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte believes that Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido is clean," Panelo said in a statement.

“There appears to be a black propaganda waged against Lt. Col. Espenido to besmirch the reputation of the latter in the eyes of President Duterte and the Filipino nation, and to derail his unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs,” he added.

Espenido is among the 357 policemen under investigation by the Philippine National Police over alleged drug links, according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

Ano said Espenido was presumed innocent unless proven guilty, adding the police official’s previous accomplishments “could be a big positive factor to his side” during the validation process.

Espenido previously earned praise from Duterte for his contributions to the bloody war on drugs. —NB, GMA News