Espenido gets more time to answer murder raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) gave Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz City police chief, more time to answer the criminal charges filed against him for the killing of nine suspected robbers during an operation last June.

Espenido appeared before the DOJ yesterday for the preliminary investigation hearing on charges of murder and arbitrary detention.

He was required to submit his counter-affidavit, but the presidential awardee was not ready to submit his answer.

Investigating Prosecution Attorney Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon then gave him and other respondents until Aug. 29 to file their answers.

Espenido earlier said the nine robbery suspects were killed in a shootout with the police last June 1 – not a rubout as alleged in the complaint filed by relatives of Francisco Manzano, one of the slain suspects.

The other respondents – Chief Inspector Glyndo Lagrimas, Senior Police Officer 4 Renato Martir Jr. and Police Officer 1 Sandra Louise Nadayag – were also required to submit answers during the hearing.

Espenido recently received an award from President Duterte for his contribution to the government’s war on drugs as chief of the Ozamiz City police and previous police chief of Albuera, Leyte. 

Last July 30, he led policemen in the killing of Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife and 14 others during predawn raids on several houses.

It was during Espenido’s term as Albuera police chief that Mayor Rolando Espinosa, jailed on drug charges, was killed by police officers serving a search warrant.