ILOILO City – Barangay Captain Keith “Dabing” Espinosa of Monica-Blumentritt, City Proper whose movements are being monitored by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has not been seen for a month now.
The wife of detained drug suspect Jesus “Jing-jing” Espinosa Jr. took a leave of absence beginning July 21, according to Atty. Ferdinand Panes, chief of the Department of Interior and Local Government – Iloilo City.
In 2016 Espinosa was investigated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod for the continued proliferation of illegal drugs in her barangay. It found her liable for grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.
Last month, July 11, Espinosa tried unsuccessfully to have an audience with the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, in Camp Delgado to supposedly clear her name.
Panes said Espinosa’s one month leave of absence ends today but he heard that the barangay captain would like to extend it.
“Lantawon naton kon pila ka bulan naman. Subject man ina gihapon sa approval sang city mayor,” said Panes.
In her application for a leave of absence last month, Espinosa stated she had “some personal matters to attend to.” She designated Barangay Councilman Antonio Espinosa as acting barangay captain.
She filed her application on July 16, the day when Bulalacao said he won’t waste a second on the barangay captain.
“I will never talk to her for as long as she is in our (drug watch) list as high-value target, level 3,” said Bulalacao.
Espinosa has denied having anything to do with illegal drugs.
“I will talk to Barangay Captain Espinosa only if she is already cleared,” said Bulalacao.
Under Civil Service rules, government officials and employees can avail themselves of a maximum leave of absence of one year without pay, apart from leave credits available.
According to Panes, if a government official or employee fails to return to work after his or her approved leave of absence expires, he or she may be held liable for abandonment of function.
In a radio interview last month, Espinosa said she feared for her safety and that of her children.
She sought a meeting with Bulalacao following the arrest of former barangay captain Noemi Jablo of Desamparados, Jaro on July 10 in a buy-bust operation of the police and the killing of Barangay Captain Remia Prevendido Gregori of Bakhaw, Mandurriao on June 24 by unidentified armed men.
Like Espinosa, Jablo and Gregori were investigated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, too, for alleged links to drug traffickers.
According to Bulalacao, intelligence reports linking Espinosa to illegal drugs as suspected protector were consistent.
In a radio interview, Espinosa said she had received death threats.
“If she is not involved in illegal drugs, she has nothing to be afraid of,” said Bulalacao.
According to Senior Inspector Kennith Bermejo, chief of the PRO-6’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU), illegal drugs was rampant in Barangay Monica Blumentritt because the traffickers enjoyed protection.
Espinosa and Gregori won their reelection bids in the recent May 14 barangay polls while Jablo lost.
In May last year as illegal drug allegations against her persisted, Espinosa appeared at Police Station 1 of the Iloilo City Police Office and denied being involved in drug trafficking. This was seven months after the Oct. 2, 2016 raid of her house.
The police seized seven sachets of shabu, a .45-caliber pistol, two spare magazines, and a licensed .9mm Glock pistol but Espinosa claimed these were “planted.”/PN
