Cop who nabbed Espinosa suspended for 90 days on Richard Gomez’s complaint

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez's complaint has resulted in the suspension for 90 days of Ozamis City chief of police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, the police officer said on Tuesday.

In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Espenido said he received a copy of the suspension order last week.

“Na-receive ko yung order, without pay 'yun,” Espenido said.

He said an officer in charge has already taken his post.

Espenido said the case stemmed from the complaint filed by Gomez against him and two other police personnel before the National Police Commission November last year.

Gomez filed the complaint against then Albuera police chief Espenido, Chief Inspector Leo Laraga of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 8, and Police Office 3 Haide Yutrago for linking him to an illegal drug ring allegedly led by slain Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

"Nagalit siya dahil nasama siya sa blue book. E bakit sa akin siya magalit, dapat doon kay mayor. Nagexecute naman ng affidavit si mayor, pati yung accountant nag-execute din ng affidavit," Espenido said.

It was Espenido who arrested Espinosa and took custody of the latter who then expressed fear for his life because of the information he issued in connection with the illegal drug trade in their area.

During a Senate hearing last year, Laraga said the CIDG had to apply for a search warrant in Samar province because there were some local politicians in Leyte involved in the drug operations of Espinosa.

He said he heard the names “personally” from Espenido during the case conference.

The Napolcom has already issued a resolution on the case in May.

Espenido said he would welcome the decision of the PNP.

"At least feeling civilan ba," he said.

The Philippine National Police-Directorate for Personnel and Resource Management has ordered a 90-day preventive suspension against Ozamis City chief of police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the suspension was effective July 16 until October but is yet to be implemented pending the resolution of the motion for reconsideration filed by Espenido.

"Hindi naman niya vinerify na kasama ako. Sabi niya puro hearsay lang yung nalaman niya pero nevertheless, sinama pa rin yung pangalan ko," Gomez said in a "24 Oras" interview after he filed the complaint against the police officers.

Gomez's lawyer Alex Avisado said Laraga, Espenido and Yutrago were named in the complaint for "gross misconduct, abuse of authority, dishonesty, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer."

"At hinihiling po namin sa NAPOLCOM [National Police Commission] mag-institute ng summary dismissal proceedings," Avisado said. —NB, GMA News