Death of Rolando Espinosa

The Death of Rolando Espinosa, the Mayor of the town of Albuera, Leyte, occurred in November 5, 2016 at the Baybay City Provincial Jail. He was detained in the prison due to his arrest for illegal drug possession in October 2015.^[1]

Background

First surrender

Rolando Espinosa and his son, Kerwin was asked by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is conducting a nationwide campaign against illegal drugs to surrender themselves "on the grounds of drug-trafficking and coddling." in August 1, 2016 within 24 hours. Duterte said that the police will arrest them and may shoot at them if they resist arrest.^[2] On August 7, 2016, Duterte announced a list of government officials, police officers, and law practitioners who were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade in the country. Espinosa is included in Duterte's list.^[3]

Espinosa went to Camp Crame voluntarily surrendered himself to Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa on August 2, 2016 due to fear for his life. He admitted that his son was involved in the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas and urged his son who had a standing warrant of arrest at that time to surrender like he did. However he denied using money from illegal drugs to finance his election campaign. Espinosa agreed to undergo a drug testing and was turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. The mayor did not have a standing warrant of arrest at the time of his surrender.^[4]

In 5:30 a.m (UTC +8) of August 3, 2016, the police had a shoot out with twelve armed men with alleged links to Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa in Barangay Benolho of the mayor's town in August 2016. Six of the men were killed and 237 grams (8.4 oz) shabu or methamphetamine worth ₱1.9 million along with some firearms were recovered.^[5] On August 4, 2016, the CIDG Region 8 and the Albuera Police Station filed criminal charges against the Espinosas.^[6]

On August 6, 2016, Rolando Espinosa, along with his daughter and common-law wife left the PNP's residence and went back to Leyte.^[7] Rolando Espinos resumed his work as town mayor on August 16, 2016.^[6]

Second surrender and arrest

Days later on August 24, 2016, Espinosa went again to the police to seek custody and promised to reveal the powerful connections of his son. Three days later the police took him in its custody due to threats to his life. On October 5, 2016, Espinosa was arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs when the police found at least 11 kilograms (24 lb) of methamphetamine at the ancestral home of the Espinosa in Albuerra.^[6]

He was later brought to the Baybay City Regional Trial Court, which ordered him to be detained at the Baybay City Provincial Jail. He was charged with illegal drug possession in October 2016 by the regional trial court. He was also brought to the Western Leyte Provincial Hospital where he underwent a medical examination.^[8]

Death

Two search warrants were issued by Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 at the Baybay City Provincial Jail in Barangay Hipusngo against Rolando Espinosa and Raul Yap, who was also suspected to be involved in illegal durgs. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Region 8 led by Police Chief Inspector Leo Laraga served the warrants in early morning of November 5, 2016. According to the CIDG, the two first shot at the CIDG operatives which caused the operation to escalate into a shootout. Espinosa and Yap died in the alleged firefight.^[9]

Reaction

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan expressed concerns that there is strong indications that the death of Espinosa was "cold-blooded murder" and said the circumstances of his death as highly questionable. They urged the relief of CIDG operatives involved in the incident as well as the leadership of CIDG Region 8 pending a "thorough and impartial" investigation. They also said that the killing of Espinosa may be taken to advantage by those implicated in the list of alleged drug lords. The group also urged Duterte to condemn Rolando Espinosa's killing and labeled the incident as a setback for the president's war on drugs.^[10]

The Commission on Human Rights and Karapatan also called for people involved in the death of Espinosa to be held accountable. Karapatan in particular also linked the police itself is involved in "narcopolitics" and alleged that the CIDG conducted a "rubout".^[11]

Senator Panfilo Lacson called for the possible resumption of the Senate inquiry regarding drug-related deaths in relation to the Philippine war on drugs following the incident. He also labeled the incident as a "clear case of extrajudicial killing" and as the "biggest challenge to the credibility of the PNP". He alleged that there is a cover-up for "bigger personalities", questioned why a court sheriff was not sent but the CIDG since Espinosa is already detained, and alleged that fellow prisoner Yap was killed so that there would be no one to testify.^[12]

Investigation

PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa ordered an investigation of the incident promising that there would be no cover-up.^[13] On the same day of the CIDG operation, people from the Scene of the Crime Operatives arrived at the crime scene where they recovered a Super Caliber .38 pistol, a magazine of live ammunition, a small, heat-sealed sachet of suspected methamphetamine, and several drug paraphernalia in Espinosa's cell.^[9]

A panel led by Regional Director Chief Superintendent Beltejar of Region 8, was formed to investigate the incident. The Regional Internal Affairs Service 8 will also conduct a separate investigation.^[9] The video footage of what transpired during the CIDG operations was found to be missing. An autopsy on Espinosa's body revealed that he was shot four times, with one bullet that managed to exit the body. The findings of the study also raised the possibility that Espinosa may have been lying down when he was shot dead. Two of his expensive rings were also found to be missing. The bullets were sent to the regional crime laboratory for further investigation.^[13]

References