(Eagle News) — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said that Kerwin Espinosa, tagged as the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas, will be arriving in the country from Abu Dhabi on Friday dawn.
In a press conference, Dela Rosa said the PNP team led by Chief Supt. Albert Ferro had told him that they would be returning back in Manila at around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. on Friday.
The PNP chief also guaranteed Kerwin’s safety once he arrives in the country.
Ferro and the other members of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) left for Abu Dhabi last Sunday.
“(Kerwin Espinosa is) very important because he holds the key to the future of others involved in the illegal drug trade,” the PNP chief said during a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Kerwin, son of slain Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa, had vowed to tell all that he knows of the illegal drug activities where he is involved.
“Ang initial na balak doon kukunan sa embassy but hindi pala ganun gagawin nilang protocol. Turnover is doon sa eroplano pagpasok sa pintuan ng eroplano so hindi na makakadaan sa embassy,” said Dela Rosa on the execution of Kerwin’s affidavit.
A regional trial court in Baybay, Leyte issued a warrant used for the arrest of Kerwin for illegal possession of firearms.
Based on procedures, Kerwin, after his arrest, should return the arrest warrant to the court which issued it. The court will then release a commitment order and decide where the arrested person will be detained.
But Dela Rosa said this is simply too risky.
He said they would just ask the court to allow them to skip this process “so the risk will be lesser.”
