Kerwin Espinosa under investigation for alleged drug deals -Palace

Authorities are investigating allegations that self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa is still involved in the illicit drug trade even he is under government custody, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque declined to give further details but said Espinosa’s status as a person under the government’s Witness Protection Program may be affected if the allegations proved true.

“Kung mapatunayan po, siguro po,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido reportedly said last week that Espinosa is behind the illegal drug operations in Pampanga, Cavite, Bulacan, Pasay City and Taguig City.

Espinosa is the son of the late Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa, whom President Rodrigo Duterte early in his term tagged in the illegal drug trade. The elder Espinosa was killed in a jail in Leyte in November 2016.

The younger Espinosa faces charges in different courts, including drug trade conspiracy with convicted drug lord Peter Co and businessman Peter Lim. -NB, GMA News