ALBUERA, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, whom President Rodrigo Duterte tagged as among the top narco-politicians in the country, claimed on Tuesday that a senator, congressmen and some Philippine National Police officials are among 30 protectors of the narcotics operations of his son Kerwin.
In a brief press conference at Espinosa’s office in the Albuera town hall, he claimed that his life is now in mortal danger after he executed a sworn statement before Leyte Provincial Prosecutor Arlene Cordovez revealing details of his son’s drug trafficking operations.
“My life is now in danger,” said a weeping Espinosa. “There are members of the PNP, Congress and a senator in my affidavit.”
Espinosa said he was ready to publicly identify the government officials involved but he decided to postpone doing so because of the threats to his life.
Albuera police director Chief Inspector Jovie Espinido said he saw the affidavit the mayor executed last August 14, listing the people involved in narcotics trafficking.
“There is a senator, there is a senator who used to be [Department of Justice] secretary,” Espinido said.
Only two incumbent senators have been secretaries of justice: Senators Franklin Drilon and Leila de Lima.
“It is really a big exposé made by Mayor Espinosa on who were the people behind the illegal drug activities of his son,” Espinido said, adding that Espinosa’s affidavit will be the legal basis of cases that will be filed against the protectors of Kerwin Espinosa, who remains at large.
With tears trickling from his eyes, Espinosa urged his son Kerwin, who remains the object of a massive police manhunt, to surrender to avoid getting killed.
“I am calling on my son Kerwin to surrender here now,” Espinosa said. “As a father, I really knew nothing of [Kerwin’s] activities. I am calling on his companions Max, Galo, Zaldivar and Ron to also surrender here in Albuera.”