By JEFFREY DAMICOG
The National Bureau of Investigation has been ordered to probe allegations that self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa continues to engage in the narcotics trade while under its custody.
Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra directed NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor to look into the allegations made by Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido.
“I have directed the NBI to investigate this report,” Gueverra said. “I told chief Distor to give priority to this matter,” Guevarra added.
On the other hand, Guevarra declined to comment whether the allegation would affect Espinosa’s standing at the DoJ’s Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Program (WPSBP).
Espinosa, son of the slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., returned to the Philippines on Nov. 18, 2016 following his arrest in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
He was turned over to NBI in December 2016 after the Regional Trial court (RTC) in Baybay City, Leyte granted his transfer from the custody of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG).
However, Espenido recently said that Espinosa remains active in the trading of illegal drugs in Pampanga, Cavite, Bulacan, and the cities of Pasay and Taguig despite being under the custody of the NBI.
The police officer bared Espinosa is behind the P5.6-billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” which PNP operatives discovered and seized during the June 10 operation in a house in Marilao, Bulacan.
Espenido said the police arrested during the operation a Chinese national, one Angela Tulio and her sister Ma. Lyn, both of whom were working for Espinosa.
He said the PNP also recovered P336.8-million worth of shabu during operations in Paranaque and Taguig cities where shootouts took place that resulted in the deaths of Danny Alpiga and Ryan Labandria, both of whom, he also alleged, were drug couriers of Espinosa.
Espinosa is facing multiple illegal drug-related charges in various courts.
Just this year, the NBI filed before the DoJ fresh drug complaints against the self-confessed drug lord. (Jeffrey Damicog)
