‘Jail raid killers on Kerwin’s payroll’

Operatives of the regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) involved in the killing of Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa in Leyte allegedly received payola regularly from his son, suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

This is according to the draft affidavit of Kerwin, a copy of which was submitted to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, which is looking into the controversial killing of the mayor.

Lacson said operatives of the regional CIDG led by Supt. Marvin Marcos were named by Kerwin as among the policemen

he was paying off with proceeds from his drug operations.

He added two other CIDG operatives who went into the provincial jail in Baybay City and killed Espinosa and another detainee were also included in the list.

“Although it’s not conclusive, more or less we have seen the motive for the killing of mayor Espinosa,” Lacson said.

“And with more reason that we should protect Kerwin Espinosa. Not for anything but to really find out the scope of influence,” he added.

Based on the affidavit, Lacson noted it was the police who sought out Espinosa, not the other way around.

During the previous hearing, Lacson and many of his fellow senators were convinced the killing of Espinosa was premeditated.

Lacson aired his concern about members of the PNP now apparently seeking out the drug personalities for their regular payoffs, something that was reserved before for jueteng, an illegal numbers game.

Kerwin will be at the center of the second hearing to be held today. Also invited for today’s hearing are PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, Marcos and the other CIDG policemen who were present during the previous hearing.

According to Lacson, Kerwin would be narrating the contents of his affidavit, which lists the various personalities linked to his illegal drug operations.

Kerwin reportedly included two senators in his affidavit, one of whom was Sen. Leila de Lima.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who has spoken with Kerwin, said there was only one senator mentioned and that was De Lima.

Quoting Kerwin, Pacquiao said De Lima allegedly received a total of P8 million, which was supposedly to ensure his “protection.”

Similar to what was reported to be in the affidavit allegedly executed by Espinosa, Kerwin said he met with De Lima through her former bodyguard and driver Ronnie Dayan in Baguio City.

A photo of Espinosa with De Lima in Baguio City has been circulating as proof that the two knew each other.

Lacson noted Kerwin has challenged the authenticity of the affidavit allegedly executed by his father. He said Kerwin even denied the signature on the affidavit was his father’s.