ILOILO City – Beleaguered Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido has nothing to worry about his safety if he is not involved in illegal drugs.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) spokesperson, Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, assured this after Espenido said in a recent interview that the “government” could go after him and kill him. The controversial police officer was confirmed to be among the 357 policemen in Duterte’s drug watch list or narco list.
“Kung wala man lang siya involvement sa illegal drugs and clear ang iya conscience, he has nothing to fear,” said Malong, adding Espenido has already been “adjudicated” in the regional level.
Earlier, Malacañang also assured Espenido that President Rodrigo Duterte won’t allow him to get harmed outside of legal processes.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Espenido “must have some reasons” for fearing for his life due to his inclusion in the government’s drug watch list.
But Duterte won’t allow harm to come the police official’s way, stressed Panelo.
“If that is Colonel Espenido’s fear, we cannot stop him (from feeling) such. He must have some reasons,” Panelo said in a media briefing yesterday.
He then said, “Espenido can request [for protection] just like any other citizen.”
Panelo reiterated that President Duterte believes Espenido is “clean” of any drug links and the allegations against the police officer were “untrue” and nothing but “black propaganda.”
On Feb. 7, Espenido was removed as deputy director for operations of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
On the other hand, Malong said that Espenido will remain in PRO-6 specifically in Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while waiting for the final adjudication of Camp Crame for his alleged link to illegal drugs.
“He (Espenido) will be assigned here and he for sure he will be given work to do while waiting for the result of the investigation and validation for his case after his name was included in 357 police personnel in the country who are reportedly in the narco lists of President Duterte,” said Malong.
Recently, PRO-6 Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, said that Espenido has already been “adjudicated” in the regional level.
“Wala naman tayong reliable information or validated report that he is involved in illegal drugs, so he was cleared,” said Pamuspusan.
He, however, said the “final adjudication” will come from the national police headquarters./PN
