Espenido relieved from Albuera PNP chief post

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — The Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame on Friday ordered the relief of the controversial Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido from his post as chief of the Albuera Police Station in Leyte.

This came after Espenido testified in two Senate inquiries on the killing of Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and the Espinosa drug syndicate operating in Eastern Visayas, involving several police officers, civilians and government officials.

Chief Superintendent Elmer Beltejar, director of the Police Regional Office-Region 8, in a phone interview told The Philippine Star and The Freeman that Espenido is now reassigned as chief of police of Ozamiz City in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao).

Espenido is replaced in his Albuera town post by Senior Inspector Johnrey Layug, who came directly from Region 11 (Davao Region), said Beltejar.

The PRO-8 top official said Espenido’s relief and latest assignment were not actually a demotion but a promotion into another milestone of the latter’s career as a police official, after being responsible for the neutralization of the Espinosa drug ring in Region 8.

“Espenido is already in his new assignment and we expect a more peaceful Albuera after his leadership. We are hoping na hindi na makakakilos pa ang mga galamay ng mga Espinosa para sa isang illegal drug operation,” Beltejar added.

In a text message to The Freeman, Espenido said he thanked PNP Chief Director General Roland “Bato” de la Rosa for the continued trust on him in the anti-illegal drug campaign under this Duterte administration.

“Include me in your prayers for my new assignment as chief of police of Ozamiz City. Let me ask of course also the support from local officials and the PNP in this city,” he said further.

It may be recalled that Espenido in 2015, during the leadership of then PRO-8 director Chief Superintendent Asher Dolina, was reassigned to Region 11 where he met De la Rosa.

Espenido was returned to Leyte for a mission: To neutralize the Espinosa group, which he did. (FREEMAN)