Palace explains cancellation of Espenido’s transfer to Iloilo City

He preferred to have his top anti-drug police official assigned to Iloilo City, but President Duterte has apparently bowed to the police leadership’s decision to cancel the transfer of Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella acknowledged that such decision on Espenido must be respected in deference to the existing rules on police assignments.

“This is the decision reached by the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) following the established policies and procedures in the transfer, reassignment and designation of their personnel,” Abella said.

“Everyone is enjoined to respect the order of the high command,” he said.

President Duterte earlier said he would assign Espenido to Iloilo City from Ozamiz City after praising him for his work in the intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

Duterte tagged Iloilo City the “most shabulized” province in the country with Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog included in his list of suspected narco-politicians.

The PNP, however recently called off the reassignment of Espenido, designating instead Senior Supt. Henry Biñas to lead the Iloilo City police.

Espenido will remain as Ozamiz City police chief.

Espenido is reportedly not qualified to become police director of the province since he lacks the rank of senior superintendent.

Espenido served as police chief of Albuera, Leyte and Ozamiz City, led by mayors who ended up dead amid the government’s war on drugs.