By: Joey A. Gabieta
TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — The Philippine National Police has started to take action against police officers involved in the raid that led to the killing of detained Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. inside his cell at the Leyte sub-provincial jail on Saturday.
Supt. Marvin Marcos was relieved as the head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Eastern Visayas (CIDG-8) effective Monday.
Chief Insp. Ma. Bella Rentuaya, Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO-8) information officer of the Philippine National Police, said the relief of Marcos was ordered by the CIDG headquarters.
Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Philippine National Police chief, has ordered the CIDG to investigate the raid and subsequent shootout that led to the death of Espinosa, a drug trafficking suspect who had become a key witness in the government’s efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute drug traffickers and their protectors in government. Espinosa had executed an affidavit naming the alleged drug trafficking protectors in government, including Senator Leila de Lima.
Rentuya said the relief of Marcos was part of the standard operating procedure in the wake of the investigation being conducted on the death of Espinosa, father of suspected drug lord Roland “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr.
“This is part of the SOP (standard operating procedure) to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident,” she added.
The CIDG 8 reported that Espinosa, 54, was gunned down early Saturday morning after he shot it out with the members of the CIDG-8 who went to the jail facility to serve a search warrant for his alleged possession of firearm and shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).
Also killed was Raul Yap, a native of Albuera town who was detained for drug peddling.
Read the full story at Inquirer