PRO-8 prepares security plan for Kerwin’s arrival
PALO, LEYTE — The Police Regional Office-8 had already laid down its security plan for the arrival of alleged top drug lord in Eastern Visayas Rolando "Kerwin" Espinosa Jr. from the United Arab Emirates.
PRO-8 Regional Director Chief Superintendent Elmer Beltejar said that, even without specific date of Kerwin's arrival, the police came up with a security plan from Tacloban Airport to Baybay City where the suspect is expected to be detained.
"I think the earliest is one week from now. It also depends on the PNP national headquarters because they also want to interrogate him before bringing him back here," Beltejar told journalists.
The UAE government is still holding Kerwin in custody, with the ongoing examination of his travel documents to check whether he violated immigration laws during his stay in Abu Dhabi.
Beltejar believes that Kerwin will be detained at the Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail in Baybay City, as ordered by Judge Carlos Arguelles of the Regional Trial Court-Branch 14 based in that city.
"I respect the capability of the subprovincial jail (to secure Kerwin). If they think they cannot handle the security, they can request for transfer to the provincial jail (in Palo, Leyte), which is more secured. But we have to respect the decision of the judge," Beltejar said.
Kerwin, the son of detained Albuera town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., has a standing warrant of arrest for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous DrugsAct of 2002), and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
The two cases filed against the father and the son stemmed from a police raid on the mayor's house that yielded 11 kilograms of shabu worth P88 million, and high-powered firearms. The mayor, who was then under Albuera Police custody, was arrested last October 5 and later detained at the jail in Baybay City.
Kerwin's arrest, according to police authorities, will strengthen evidences against drug personalities and their protectors in the region.
"His testimony is very important for the prosecution of those in the list who received money from illegal drugs. Some cases cannot be filed because of lack of corroborating statement. We build cases depending on the evidences," Beltejar added.
The Abu Dhabi police and PNPAnti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) in coordination with the Interpol nabbed Kerwin early dawn on October 17.
The PRO-8 reported that the Espinosa group supplies 30 kilograms to 50 kilograms of shabu every month in Eastern Visayas and nearby regions during Kerwin's "heydays." —