Both President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Leila de Lima need to step back instead of meddling with the investigation into the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
Espinosa, a suspected drug lord operating in the Eastern Visayas, was shot dead in his jail cell a week ago. Police claim he had a gun and drugs in his possession when a warrant of arrest was served on him, inside the cell, at 4 in the morning Saturday, Nov. 5.
Because of the incredible tale, the Senate promptly called a probe into the issue. Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group who served the warrant on Espinosa that morning gave their version of events.
While we are still figuring out why the investigation has to be conducted in aid of legislation, we cannot help noticing the undue interest taken by both President Duterte and Senator de Lima in the unusual death of Espinosa.
Upon his return from his Thailand and Malaysia trips, the President said he is inclined to believe the version of the police in the Espinosa slay. Without realizing it, Mr. Duterte has prejudged the case in which he has a great stake: after all, it was he who first tagged the slain mayor for his involvement in drugs, and it is his zeal in pursuing drug lords and dealers at all costs that has attracted the attention of rights groups and the international community. It is his war against illegal drugs that is being waged, ardently, by the police.
Meanwhile, De Lima’s name figures in the list of drug protectors named by the late mayor in an affidavit. An easy interpretation would be that De Lima would be among those who would benefit from the death of the mayor, but it could also be as she claims—that Espinosa may have been silenced before he recanted his sworn statement, made under duress in the first place.
We wonder: Will we ever get to the truth?
Whatever it is, what is certain is that De Lima’s voice should not even be heard during the hearing. A lawyer like herself should appreciate the idea of inhibition, since further participation from an interested party would only tarnish the integrity of the probe.
Then again, De Lima has not been known for her prudence or discretion.
Espinosa’s son, Kerwin, is already in police custody after his arrest in the Middle East. It is natural that he should now fear for his life after what befell his father right within the confines of a provincial jail.
We, too, should be fearful when officials who have no business dipping their hands into investigations actually begin to do so—and act as though there were nothing wrong with it.