Sanctions sought vs cops in Espinosa slay

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has recommended sanctions against police officers involved in the fatal shooting of then detained Albuera, Leyte mayor and suspected drug lord Rolando Espinosa and another inmate.

Napolcom Vice Chairman Rogelio Casurao said the commission found probable cause to issue the recommendation based on the pieces of evidence gathered when former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 8 head Superintendent Marvin Marcos and his team served the search warrant on Espinosa at the Leyte provincial jail last November 5.

Based on its extensive investigation, Casurao said commission discovered lapses and other violation of standard operating procedures when Marcos’ team served the search warrant on Espinosa inside the jail facility.

Casurao said that one of the major miscues was the breach of standard police procedures in serving the search warrant and the use of excessive force.

Casurao also pointed out the lack of coordination between the operating team and their superiors as well as the jail officers, citing the violation of operating guidelines and lack of advance information to jail authorities.

In an earlier Senate committee hearing, the senators cited inconsistencies, anomalies and lapses in the reports and testimonies submitted to them by the team who took part in the operation.

Senator Panfilo Lacson chairman of the public order and dangerous drugs committee described the operation as premeditated citing highly questionable circumstances surrounding the killing of Espinosa and another inmate Raul Yap.