7 cops, Kerwin’s lawyers skip trial

MANILA, Philippines — Seven police officers and the lawyers of alleged drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa were absent during yesterday’s court hearing in Manila, prompting the judge to order them to explain their failure to appear in court.

Regional Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. issued an order directing the seven police officers to explain within 72 hours why they should not be cited for contempt of court.

The order includes former Albuera police chief and now Cagayan de Oro City police head Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Chief Insp. Leo Diao Laraga, Police Officer 3 Neil Radin and PO1s Winefredo Guiron, Jessie Parto, Mark Alvin Balderian and Arnel Calcada.

The police officers were supposed to be witnesses of the prosecution against Espinosa as well as Marcelo Adorco and Jose Antepuesto, who were reportedly caught with shabu in Espinosa’s house in Albuera, Leyte.

Pampilo also ordered Espinosa’s lawyers Leilani Villarino and John Ungab to explain within 72 hours why they failed to appear in their client’s hearing for them to be spared from contempt charges.

A court staff said Villarino claimed she was hospitalized and Ungab could not book a flight to Manila due to the international summit next week.

Espinosa was also supposed to be tried before the Manila court for possession of illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms filed against him at the Ormoc City RTC, but the hearing was also postponed.

Asked if Espinosa would still have Villarino and Ungab as his lawyers, he answered in the affirmative.

The hearing was reset to Dec. 8.