PALO, Leyte – Fifteen officials and personnel of the Eastern Visayas regional police were relieved on suspicion of being in the payroll of drug lord Kerwin Espinosa Jr.
Police Region 8 Acting Police Director Chief Supt. Elmer C. Beltejar told reporters he has placed the 15 officers on floating status.
Beltejar said Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. had named them as the protectors of his son Kerwin in an affidavit he submitted to the Leyte Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Beltejar withheld the names of the officers the mayor had linked to Kerwin.
Earlier, Albuera Police chief Jovie Espinido said police found 500 used checks in the house of Kerwin during a raid.
The checks were written out to police officials, even prominent politicians leaders and media personalities.
Espinosa submitted the affidavit on August 23, a day after the family lawyer, Rogelio G. Bato Jr., was gunned down in Tacloban City.
The mayor has requested police protection for himself and his family. (Nestor Abrematea)