The Department of Justice has asked a Manila City court to allow a former aide of Kerwin Espinosa to become state witness in the drug trade conspiracy filed case against the self-confessed drug trader.
In a motion, DOJ prosecutors said that the testimony of accused Marcelo Adorco is "absolutely necessary as there is no other direct evidence available for the prosecution of the offense committed."
"The testimony of the said accused can be substantially corroborated in its material points," the motion said, in seeking to discharge Adorco as an accused to become a state witness.
Like Espinosa, Adorco is accused of violating Section 26(b) in relation to Section 5 (conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading) of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51.
Aside from Espinosa and Adorco, the other accused in this case are convicted drug lord Peter Co, alleged drug supplier Lovely Impal, and Ruel Malindangan, who is at large. Alleged drug lord Peter Lim, also at large, is among their co-accused in separate court cases in Makati and Manila.
The Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure provide that the prosecution can move for the discharge as state witness of one or more persons accused of an offense after the presentation of supporting evidence.
The DOJ prosecutors told the Manila City court that Adorco has consented to become a state witness against his former boss.