NBI: Lookouts did not prevent raiding team from shooting Espinosa
Mayor Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte was killed inside his detention cell in a sub-provincial jail in Baybay City, Leyte on November 5. PNP PIO/Released, File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 (CIDG-8) operatives who acted as lookouts did not prevent its raiding team from shooting Mayor Rolando Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said.
The bureau also stressed that there was no indication that the police operatives who participated in the killing of Espinosa and Raul Yap had desisted.
"From the pieces of evidence, the NBI concluded, it is patently clear that the acts of the CIDG-8 operatives showed a community of purpose or an implied conspiracy," the NBI said in a statement released Tuesday.
The NBI has recommended the filing of multiple murder and perjury charges against 24 CIDG-8 officers and other individuals involved in the killing of the mayor on November 5.
READ: NBI: Espinosa slay was a rubout, not shootout
The bureau found that the late mayor was killed during a "rubout" inside his detention cell and not in a shootout as claimed by the CIDG.
"There was unison in their purpose and action, signifying that they were all moved by a single criminal intent," the NBI said.
Last November 10, the 24 cops from the CIDG and the Regional Maritime Unit involved in the killing of Espinosa were relieved following the order of Philippine National Police chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa, later on, reinstated CIDG-8 chief Superintendent Marvin Marcos following an order from a higher official, which turned out to be President Rodrigo Duterte.
Alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, son of the late Albuera mayor, has named Marcos as one of his alleged drug protectors.
RELATED: I don't need to explain why I reinstated Marcos, Duterte says
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