MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said that he is considering putting alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa under Witness Protection Program (WPP), but that he has to be given full protection of the law specially now that his father had been killed under questionable circumstances.
“He could qualify for WPP because he appears to be not the most guilty (in the drug trafficking crime). When there’s someone else from the government, then that person could be the most guilty,” Aguirre explained.
The statement was made after Aguirre received a letter from the Philippine ambassador to UAE Constancio Vingno Jr., informing him that Espinosa had expressed his intention to be under the government’s protective custody.
In a press conference, Aguirre said that Espinosa had asked to be placed under WPP as he fears safety for him and his family following the death of his father, former Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa on Saturday, November 5.
Aguirre said that the government needs to be more careful in securing Kerwin after what happened to his father.
“Even before Kerwin requested to be put under the Witness Protection Program or if he needs protection, we have already determined that he should be given full protection of the law considering what happened to his father,” the Justice Secretary said.
“That’s a lesson learned for us. That’s why we are considering placing Kerwin under WPP,” he said.
Aside from Erwin, Aguirre said that Espinosa’s family also needs be secured and might be admitted under the WPP.
“If ever he will be admitted to the WPP, kasama ang family niya,” he said.
The Justice secretary also revealed that the young Espinosa would be fetched in Abu Dhabi on Sunday by a group of three Philippine National Police (PNP) officials led by Senior Superintendent Albert Ignacio Ferro, the acting director of the PNP-Anti illegal Drugs Group.
“Once they get the person of Kerwin and bring him back to the Philippines, then they are going to turn over Kerwin together with his sworn statement so that we could consider whether he is qualified to be put under the WPP,” Aguirre added.
The alleged drug kingpin of Eastern Visayas was arrested last October 17 by Abu Dhabi law enforcers and Filipino anti-narcotics policemen in UAE.
Kerwin, who was named by President Duterte as the drug kingpin of Eastern Visayas, was reportedly devastated after learning of his father’s death and has volunteered to submit a sworn statement that would detail his operations and the names of his protectors and cohorts in exchange for turning state witness, Aguirre said.
