PNP to submit Espenido investigation results on March 7

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday that it would submit the results of its investigation on Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido and other cops included in the drugs watchlist to President Rodrigo Duterte on March 7.

According to a Saturday report on GMA News' Balitanghali, PNP chief Police General Archie Gamboa said that the over 300 cases of cops being linked to illegal drugs had been validated and decided on at the PNP's regional offices.

The cases would be brought to the National Adjudication Board.

“The regional adjudication board has submitted its report to the national adjudication board so that we can beat the deadline which is before March 5,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said in a separate statement.

Once finished, the PNP would immediately submit the results to the President.

Meanwhile, 15 of the accused officers had applied for early or optional retirement, according to Gamboa.

Gamboa earlier said that the recommendations on the accused policemen would be submitted on March 3.

Espenido was confirmed to be included in the drugs watchlist in early February. 

However, Espenido denied this, claiming that his inclusion on the list was due to a failure of intelligence. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News