Dela Rosa cites clamor for Espenido in Ozamiz
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Monday it was President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to recall the assignment of Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City.
He said Duterte considered the clamor of the people in Ozamiz City for Espenido to stay as their chief of police.
“The main reason is... Si presidente mismo nag-bigay ng instruction na huwag muna ituloy (ang reassignment ni Espenido) dahil nga ma-demoralize ‘yung mga tao sa Ozamiz kung tanggalin si Espenido doon,” said Dela Rosa.
“At may mga balita na mag-people power pa kapag inalis si Espenido. Kaya nagbago isip ni Presidente kaya pagbigyan muna mga taga Ozamiz huwag muna alisin si Espenido doon,” he added.
Dela Rosa, however, clarified that it was not Espenido’s rank that influenced the President’s decision noting that they did not even discuss the matter.
Espenido’s rank is two levels lower than the required rank for a chief of police in a highly-urbanized city.
He said that even Duterte de- cided not to recall his order, the PNP’s policy will be adjusted to follow his order.
“It’s not an issue ‘yung kanyang pagka-under rank. Hindi ‘yun issue kung bakit hindi siya natuloy,” said Dela Rosa.
Duterte announced the transfer of Espenido to Iloilo City last week. Espenido was the police chief in Albuera, Leyte and Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental when the mayors there, who were both in Duterte’s watchlist of suspected narco-politicians, were killed in police operations.
Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa was arrested and detained while Espenido was the police chief. The mayor was shot dead by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) agents inside his detention cell in November last year.
Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog was killed during simultaneous raids on his properties for firearms seven months after Espenido was transferred to Ozamiz.
Duterte earlier accused Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog as a drug protector. He hoped Espenido could help end the illegal drugs problem.