Espina’s family to get P50T from Capitol

CEBU, Philippines — The family of slain police officer PO2 Evie Espina will get a financial assistance worth P50,000 from the Cebu provincial government.

Governor Hilario Davide III visited Espina’s wake last Friday dawn to personally extend his condolences to the bereaved family and pledged that Capitol will extend help.

The governor dropped by before he travelled south for another Capitol activity in the southwest Cebu area.

Espina was killed by Jovilio Franza, a high-value target, in an anti-drug operation last February 19, leaving behind his wife and four children. The cop’s wake is in Talisay City.

During the first quarter meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Davide first announced that the provincial government will be extending financial assistance.

“On behalf of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of PO2 (Evie) Espina,” Davide told Cebu Provincial Police Office chief Senior Supt. Edgar Alan Okubo.

Davide is the chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Central Visayas and vice chairman of the National Tokhang Advocacy Coalition in the region.

In a text message, Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura said that he will file a resolution on Monday to give Espina’s family P50,000 as instructed by the governor. Shimura is the chairman of the committee on public safety, peace, and order.

Shimura, who was with Davide during the PPOC meeting, added that the cash assistance will be handed over to the family next week after the PB approves the resolution.

Minglanilla police have filed cases against Evangeline Briones and her stepson on Friday.

The two eluded arrest when police conducted a buy-bust operation against Franza.  Briones is Franza’s live in partner while the other suspect is his son.

Minglanilla Police Chief Inspector Verniño Noserale, said complaints for illegal possession and trade of illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms and explosives will be filed against Briones while Franza's son will face charges for conspiring with his father during the operation. Yesterday afternoon, Espina was laid rest to at Talisay Poblacion Cemetery. (FREEMAN)