NBI: Guns, drugs possession claim vs. Espinosa, Yap 'impossible'

MANILA, Philippines — Findings of the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) probe showed that it was impossible for Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and inmate Raul Yap to possess illegal drugs and firearms inside their cells contrary to the claim of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 (CIDG-8) operatives.

 

The NBI said in a statement on Tuesday that testimonies of several witnesses disputed the shootout claim which led to the pre-dawn killing of Espinosa and inmate Yap at the Leyte sub-provincial jail in Baybay City last November 5.

 

RELATED: NBI: Espinosa slay was a rubout, not shootout

 

It added that Oplan Galugad was conducted on October 30 in the jail facility. The operation was made to thoroughly search the facility to be rid of contrabands. The NBI said that the operation yielded items such as cellular phones.

 

"It was, therefore, impossible for Espinosa and Yap to possess these firearms and illegal drugs inside their respective cells on the night of the supposed implementation of the search warrants," the bureau said.

 

During a press briefing also on Tuesday, the bureau added that one inmate testified that someone wearing gloves entered the facility with a gun in hand. When, that person left, however, the gun was no longer seen.

 

The NBI said their exhaustive investigation showed that the killing was premeditated.

 

RELATED: NBI: Lookouts did not prevent raiding team from shooting Espinosa

 

CIDG-8 operatives served a search warrant against the two over the supposed possession of firearms and selling of illegal drugs inside the jail.

 

The NBI, however, said that the application for the warrant was maliciously obtained since the affidavit was perjured.

 

"The deponent's testimony that he entered Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail never took place. It added that he had reported for his work the whole day of October 28, 2016 (the day he allegedly saw and met Espinosa and Yap) as shown in his daily time record and raw data of biometric and as testified by his su[ervisor and co-workers," the NBI statement read.

 

Facing multiple murder and perjury charges are CIDG-8 chief Superintendent Marvin Marcos, Superintendent Noel Matira, Chief Inspector Leo Laraga, Senior Inspectors Deogracia Diaz and Fritz Blanco, Senior Police Officers Melvin Cayobit, Eric Constantino, Benjamin Dacallos, Juanito Duarte and Alphinor Serrano Jr., police officers Johnny Ibanez, Norman Abellanosa, Niel Centino, Bernard Orpilla, Lloyd Ortiguesa, Jerlan Cabiyaan, Cristal Gisma and Divine Grace Songalia.

 

Also facing charges are PNP Regional Maritime Unit 8 personnel Chief Inspector Calixto Canillas Jr. and Inspector Lucresito Candelosas as well as police officers Antonio Docil, Mark Cadilo, John Ruel Daculan and Jaime Bacsal.

 

The bureau also recommended the filing of charges against Paul Olendan for the maliciously obtained warrant.