(Eagle News) — One of the witnesses testifying against Kerwin Espinosa has withdrawn his testimony.
Jose Antipuesto told the court on Friday that he was only forced to sign his affidavit against Espinosa, a childhood friend.
He said it was Albuera Police Chief Jovie Espenido who forced him to affix his signature on the document.
Espinosa is facing a case for drug trading and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
The case was transferred to a Metro Manila court from Branch 14 of the Baybay, Leyte Regional Trial Court upon the request of both the prosecution and the defense.
Both camps had cited security reasons.
Espinosa is the son of former Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, whom President Rodrigo Duterte tagged as a narcopolitician.
The elder Espinosa was killed in November 2017, while he was being detained for drug-related charges, in what police said was a legitimate raid.
