Despite clearance from Duterte, Espenido still to be probed, says Año

February 16, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday said even after President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his trust and confidence to Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido, the relieved cop still needs to undergo adjudication and validation process.

“The President’s statement is big thing and the final authority to approve on removing (someone) on the list is the President, so that’s a big factor but (removing someone) still needs to undergo process,” Año said in a radio interview.

The Secretary said the process could be an advantage to Espenido if ever the next administration will also look into police officers who are involved in illegal drugs.

“So that if time comes, for example, other administration will look into the issue they can say he underwent the process… this will also be an advantage to Colonel Espenido someday,” he said.

“The reason why there is a need for validation process so that Colonel Espenido can defend himself,” he added.

Año said the president just made his statement because he saw Espenido’s job when he was still assigned in Ozamis City and Albuera, Leyte where he was able to conduct drug operations against narco-politicians.

“Actions speaks louder than words… that’s a big factor and he (Duterte) is not protecting Espenido but if you see police officers who do the same you will laud them and you will believe that what they are doing is true on fighting drug syndicates,” he said.

The Interior Secretary also said he understands the decision of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa to not disclose the names of the relieved 357 cops who were allegedly included in Duterte’s drug list.

“What he did is right because he is the one in-charge to validate within the PNP. So it’s hard to disclose information while the investigation or validation is ongoing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of Espenido in the supposed narco-cops, Año said could not be hidden since the policeman is a controversial policeman.

“You cannot hide it but as I said, it doesn’t mean he is guilty. (He is) presumed innocent until proven guilty… I want to give the benefit of the doubt to Colonel Espenido,” he said.

He urged other relieved cops to just cooperate with the ongoing process and prevent from making their own statements.

“It is better to keep quiet and just cooperate and participate on the process and then the truth will come out,” Año said.

Año also urged all police officers to keep on supporting the PNP’s internal cleansing and show to the public that they are professional and disciplined cops. Ella Dionisio/DMS