Controversial police officer to continue work, not afraid of retaliation

August 9, 2017

A police official who was involved in the deaths of two mayors said to be linked to illegal drugs said he is not afraid to die at the hands of those who want to retaliate.

Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, who was awarded by the Philippine National Police on Wednesday for his anti-drug efforts, said in a press conference” Why should I be afraid when I don’t own my life?”

“I am a police officer who is just working. Espenido fears no one,” he said.

Espenido was police chief of Albuera, Leyte when town mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr and inmate Raul Yap died as policemen serving a search warrant at the Baybay sub-provincial jail last year,

After being suspended and later reinstated when government prosecutors said Espenido and the team were not guilty of murder but homicide, Espenido was assigned to Ozamiz City.

A few weeks ago, Espenido’s team implemented a search warrant for illegal possession of guns and explosives at the home of Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. Police said they were fired upon and they engaged the mayor’s men in a shoot-out. Sixteen were killed, including the mayor and his wife.

Espenido did not appear comfortable answering questions about Espinosa and Parojinog but stressed there was no intention to kill Parojinog..

Since he became police chief of Ozamiz, he said  two of more than 100 suspected drug personalities were killed in police operations.

"We have apprehended more than 100 persons in buy-bust operations," said Espennido.

When asked what Duterte, told him to continue what he is doing.  "He told me to keep up the good work," said Espenido. DMS