Thursday, June 30, 2022
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News Headlines

Espinosa: 21 cops probed

Francisco TuyaybyFrancisco Tuyay
November 8, 2016, 12:01 am
in Headlines
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
72
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

TWENTY-ONE policemen are being investigated for the Nov. 5 killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was shot dead in his cell at the Baybay City, Leyte provincial jail in what the police described as a shootout.

Philippine National Police Director for Administration Francisco Uyami said 13 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and eight members of the regular police force who took part in the dawn raid at the provincial jail were restricted to their offices pending the results of an investigation by a CIDG team based in Camp Crame.

The police said they were at the jail at 4 a.m. to serve a search warrant on Espinosa and another inmate, Raul Yap, when they opened fire on the raiding team, which shot back and killed both prisoners. 

Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa

Amid allegations of a rubout, Espinosa’s lawyer, Leilani Trinidad Villarino, said she feared for her life and asked the anti-crime watchdog group Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption for help to get police protection.

“I feel that I am also in danger,” Villarino said in her letter, which referred to the murder last August of Rogelio Bato Jr., who at one time was lawyeer to Espinosa and his son Kerwin, who police describe as one of the biggest drug lords in Eastern Visayas.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bato and a 19-year-old student Angelica Bonia, were gunned down Aug. 24 by gunment in Tacloban City while they were in the lawyer’s pickup truck in Tacloban City.

Villarino said that in view of the gravity of the elder Espinosa’s revelations in his sworn affidavits, her own life was in danger.

“Due to the gravity and seriousness of the allegations of my client in his sworn statements implicating top politicians, police officials and other notable individuals, I fear that I will suffer the same fate with attorney Bato,” she said.

Villarino also asked for police protection for the children of the late mayor, particularly during his wake at his house in Albuera town.

Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno on Monday questioned the PNP’s actions in the raid that killed Espinosa.

“Was there really a shootout?  Was there coordination with the regional and provincial police offices?  Why was the search warrant hastily served too early on a Saturday morning?”

Sueno also directed the National Police Commission to conduct a parallel investigation.

“While the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service has automatically started its own investigation, it is still necessary for Napolcom to get into the picture to lend integrity and credibility to the probe,” Sueno said in a statement. 

“Napolcom should make this [probe] their top priority.  We have to know what really transpired on that day.  We owe the family of the slain inmates and the public a factual and detailed account of the incident,” Sueno said.

A former police general who is now a lawmaker said the death of Espinosa had all the signs of an extrajudicial killing.

“I had been an investigator for so long, and it’s our practice not to jump to conclusions unless we are able to read official investigation report,” said Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop. 

“Be that as it may, from the report that I have heard and read, all signs of a summary killing are there, unless all the issues or questionable actions on the part of the operating officers would be answered by them appropriately,” Acop added. 

First, Acop said the need to serve the search warrant against Espinosa was questionable.

Acop said Espinosa was already in detention in a government facility over charges of illegal possession of drugs and unlicensed firearms, so the warrant was no longer be necessary.

Second, Acop said the search warrant was served in the wee hours of the morning.

Third, Acop took note that nobody cross-examined witnesses to corroborate the allegations that Espinosa and Yap had firearms in their cells.

The militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned the killing of Espinosa, saying it could harm the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. 

In a statement Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said there were strong indications that the killing of Espinosa and another inmate in the Leyte Sub Provincial Jail was a “cold-blooded murder.”

 “The circumstances of Espinosa’s death are highly questionable; from the service of the so-called arrest and search warrants at 4 a.m., Espinosa’s alleged shootout with police, the presence of guns inside the jail cell, the alleged stand-off between the CIDG and jail officials and the missing CCTV footage of the incident,” Reyes said.

Bayan said that while the involvement of the PNP seems to give the killing a cloak of legitimacy, as events are turning out, it merely highlights a most disturbing development of men in uniform involved in a premeditated rubout.

Reyes said a thorough and impartial probe must be conducted because there were reports that the  government attempted  to silence Espinosa after the mayor revealed the names of 225 individuals, including politicians and police officials involved in the drug trade.

“Espinosa’s death weakens his testimony and favors those implicated in the list. This is one likely reason why he was killed as well as to serve as a warning to his son Kerwin who is tagged as the real drug lord,” Reyes said.

“The killing of Espinosa sets back the Duterte government’s war on drugs, which up to now appears to be eliminating only the small fry,” he said.

The militant labor group also urged the  PNP to relieve all officers and members of the CIDG Region 8 pending investigation. With Maricel V. Cruz and Vito Barcelo

John Paolo Bencito

Tags: Albuera Mayor Rolando EspinosaAtty. Leilani Trinidad VillarinoBaybay City provincial jailCriminal Investigation and Detection GroupPhilippine National Police Director for Administration Francisco UyamipolicemenRaul YapVolunteers AgaWarrant
ADVERTISEMENT
Francisco Tuyay

Francisco Tuyay

Related Posts

Paolo Duterte quits as Davao vice mayor

byF. Pearl A. Gajunera
December 26, 2017, 12:15 am
0
132
Paolo Duterte quits as Davao vice mayor

DAVAO CITY—The President’s son, Paolo Duterte, resigned Monday as vice mayor of Davao City after a series of scandals hounded...

Read more

36 bodies retrieved in mall fire; govt probe set

byRey E. Requejo
December 26, 2017, 12:14 am
0
129

DAVAO CITY—The Justice Department ordered a criminal investigation Monday into a shopping mall fire that killed 37 people, including call...

Read more

China: Islands ‘reasonably’ expanded

byJohn Paolo Bencito
December 26, 2017, 12:12 am
0
129

CHINA admitted expanding its islands in the disputed South China Sea, with continued construction in the challenged islands covering about...

Read more

28 killed in two road accidents on xmas

byFrancisco Tuyay
December 26, 2017, 12:10 am
0
129

TWENTY-EIGHT people were killed and dozens more were injured in two separate road accidents in La Union and Cotabato provinces,...

Read more

Palace claims crime down, cites no proof

byJohn Paolo Bencito
December 26, 2017, 12:10 am
0
129

MALACAñANG on Monday claimed that  the bloody war against drugs, a campaign President Rodrigo Duterte launched since he took office...

Read more

P2b in aid for victims

byLance Baconguis
February 13, 2017, 12:01 am
0
130
P2b in aid for victims

SURIGAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday promised to release P2 billion in relief for victims of the powerful Feb. 10...

Read more

Stories you may like

  • Ex-Naga dad links Leni’s brother-in-law to illegal drugs

    Ex-Naga dad links Leni’s brother-in-law to illegal drugs

    36798 shares
    Share 14719 Tweet 9200
  • Of course, it was BBM’s project

    30895 shares
    Share 12358 Tweet 7724
  • INC endorses BBM, Sara

    28811 shares
    Share 11524 Tweet 7203
  • Duterte’s seven biggest achievements

    22086 shares
    Share 8834 Tweet 5522
  • Marcos leads SWS survey on presidentiables at 50%

    13584 shares
    Share 5434 Tweet 3396

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • New economic managers vow to sustain infrastructure projects
  • DTI chief lays out strategy to help consumers
  • DA strengthens focus on food security amid escalating prices
  • New DOT secretary promotes inclusive and sustainable tourism
  • Hello, goodbye
  • Senators in 19th Congress vow support for new stimulus bill
  • Emergency vehicle and evacuation center from Marcventures
  • House thru Speaker Romualdez has BBM Bill as priority agenda

Advertisement

Latest News

Senators in 19th Congress vow support for new stimulus bill

byMacon Ramos-Araneta
June 30, 2022, 12:10 am
0
130
House thru Speaker Romualdez has BBM Bill as priority agenda

Several senators in the coming 19th Congress have aired their support for a new stimulus measure, which President Ferdinand Marcos...

Read more

Emergency vehicle and evacuation center from Marcventures

byManila Standard
June 30, 2022, 12:05 am
0
129
House thru Speaker Romualdez has BBM Bill as priority agenda

Indigenous People Municipal Representative (IPMR) Benjamin A. Tindogan and Bayogo Barangay Captain Jesus B. Arsolon acknowledged the Emergency Transport Vehicle from...

Read more

House thru Speaker Romualdez has BBM Bill as priority agenda

byMaricel Cruz
June 30, 2022, 12:00 am
0
132
House thru Speaker Romualdez has BBM Bill as priority agenda

The House of Representatives, under the leadership of incoming Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, is committed...

Read more

Preparations

byRevoli Cortez
June 29, 2022, 11:58 pm
0
128
Protection

Despite the heavy rains and without adequate lights, a Public Works personnel works double-time to finish the entrance (ramp) portion...

Read more

Meeting with BBM

byVer Noveno
June 29, 2022, 11:55 pm
0
129
Protection

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep Martin Romualdez chats with the president-elect and incoming Vice President Sara Duterte during the Oath...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App