One of the police officials who allegedly received protection money from suspected drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa is Supt. Marvin Marcos who led the police raid that killed Espinosa’s father last Nov. 5.
During the resumption of the Senate hearing looking into the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, the younger Espinosa claimed that Marcos collected a total of P2.5 million from him as protection money.
Kerwin said Marcos sought P3 million for his wife who was then running for vice mayor of Pastrana, Leyte. But he haggled for P2.5-million, explaining that he was setting aside money for his father’s candidacy.
He said he first handed R1.5 million and R1 million the next day.
But Marcos, head of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 8, denied Kerwin’s allegation.
“Hiwalay na ako sa asawa ko since 2013, not legally but bumukod na ko, nakatira na ko sa father ko,” Marcos said.
“We are formally separated since January 2013, bakit ako tutulong dun.”
Allegations of policemen accepting drug money brought Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to tears.
“Pinapasa-Diyos ko na lang itong sa PNP. Gustong-gusto kong ma-reform ang PNP. Ako’y hirap na hirap na,” said Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa cited the case of Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido whom he had assigned to head the Albuera police station in Leyte.
During the hearing, Kerwin testified that Espenido facilitated his ties with Ronnie Dayan, former driver and alleged bagman of Senator Leila de Lima, whom he delivered P8 million in drug money.
“There are times that I don’t know who to trust, who is in or out of the drug business,” said Dela Rosa who nevertheless vowed to “fight till the end.” (HANNAH TORREGOZA)