PNP Chief Bato won't send Espenido yet to Iloilo City

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — It looks like controversial police officer Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido's wish to be assigned in Iloilo City would not happen anytime soon.

PNP Chief  Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa himself said: "Sa ngayon maraming problema doon sa Ozamiz. Doon muna siya."

Dela Rosa was in Iloilo City yesterday to grace the 116th Police Service Anniversary celebration of the Police Regional Office-6.

When asked of the possibility that Espenido would be assigned in Iloilo City to combat the illegal drug problem in the metropolis, he retorted: "'Di ba kaya ng Ilonggo na mga pulis dito? Ang daming magagaling na pulis na Ilonggo na pwedeng magtrabaho," if given the opportunity.

It can be noted that Espenido's name was put into the limelight after he left a bloody trail of dead politicians linked to the illegal drug trade. In recent interviews, such as with Karen Davila of ANC's Headstart, Espenido said he wants Iloilo City to be his next assignment, "if God wills it."

Espenido's last two assignments were marked by the deaths of Mayors Rolando Espinosa Sr. of Albuera, Leyte in December 2016, and Reynaldo Parojinog and his family of Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental in July 2017.

Espinosa and Parojinog were among the government officials accused by President Rodrigo Duterte, in his speech in August last year, of protecting the illegal drug trade in their areas.

Duterte had also named Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog as a "narco-politician," which the latter vehemently denied.

The label prompted Mabilog to exert more effort in the campaign against illegal drugs like institutionalizing the rehabilitation of drug addicts and giving more resources to the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Lately, Mabilog has been pressuring barangay officials to prioritize drug-clearing operations.

When asked by Davila if he wants to dare Mabilog to make things right or face his wrath, Espenido said he will first hold a dialogue with the embattled mayor, in case he will be assigned in that city. (FREEMAN)