ALLEGED drug lord Rolan “Kerwin”Espinosa revealed on Friday that then-Philippine National Police chief, now Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, pressured him in 2016 to admit involvement in the illegal drug trade and implicate high-profile individuals, including former Sen. Leila de Lima and businessman Peter Lim.
Espinosa made the revelation in the course of his testimony before the House Quad Committee where he recounted his family’s personal ordeal as victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) associated with the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.
His father, then Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who had been linked to the illegal drug trade, was killed inside his jail cell on Nov. 5, 2016, after voluntarily surrendering to the police, following a warning from former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that he would be targeted if he did not turn himself in.
In his testimony, Espinosa said that after being arrested in Abu Dhabi, he was brought back to the Philippines, where Dela Rosa pressured him to implicate De Lima, Limand others in the drug trade.
He detailed his return on Nov. 17, 2016, recalling how Dela Rosa and other police officers met him upon his arrival at around 11 p.m.
“Sinundo ako ng mga kapulisan dito sa atin, ang sumundo sa akin si General Bato, inakbayan niya ako papunta sa sasakyan,” Espinosa shared, describing how he was escorted into a white bulletproof Land Cruiser.
Once inside the vehicle, Espinosa said Dela Rosa sat in the front seat while he was sandwiched between two police officers in the back.
He said it was during this ride that Dela Rosa allegedly instructed him to admit his involvement in the country’s drug trade and to implicate both De Lima and Lim.
“Sinabihan niya ako na aminin mo na sangkot ka sa kalakaran sa droga dito sa Pilipinas at idawit ko si Peter Lim at si Leila de Lima para madiin na sila,” Espinosa recounted.
De Lima spent seven years in prison on drug charges but was later absolved of all accusations, which she claimed were fabricated to silence her. Meanwhile, former President Duterte identified Peter Lim as one of the country’s biggest drug dealers.
Espinosa further claimed that Dela Rosa threatened him with harm if he did not comply, warning that the same fate that befell his father could happen to him or one of his family members.
“Kung hindi raw ako sumunod sa plano, pwedeng mangyari sa akin ang nangyari sa ama ko, isa sa mga pamilya ko ang mamatay din,” he said, adding that he was terrified and unsure of what to do at the time.
Espinosa further disclosed that he was instructed to include actor-politician Richard Gomez in the list of those involved in illegal drugs, even though he knew the accusations were baseless.
Despite immense pressure, Espinosa said he refused to falsely implicate Gomez, who was then the mayor of Ormoc City and now serves as the representative of Leyte’s fourth district.
Espinosa recounted how his father, prior to being killed, sought refuge at Dela Rosa’s residence, known as the White House in Camp Crame, in a desperate bid to stay alive.
Despite this, Mayor Espinosa was eventually transferred to Baybay Provincial Jail, where he was killed during a police operation.
According to Kerwin, his father pleaded for his life before being shot. “Nagmamakaawa ang aking ama, ‘Sir, huwag niyo po akong patayin,’ pero wala, binaril pa rin siya,” he said.
“Ang aking ama at ang aming pamilya ay naging biktima ng EJK. Napakasakit po sa amin ang pagkawalay ng napakaraming inosenteng buhay,” Kerwin emotionally said during the hearing.
“Ang aking ama ay mabuting naglingkod sa aming mahal na lungsod ng Albuera, ngunit ang kanyang mabubuting layunin ay hindi natupad dahil pinatay siya,” he added.
He expressed deep frustration over the delay in justice and called on the panel to hold those responsible accountable.
“Matagal na po kaming naghihintay ng hustisya. Alam ko po na ang aking ama, saan man siya ngayon, ay naghihintay din ng katarungan,” he added, addressing the committee members.
Kerwin also underscored the significance of the investigation and called for stronger efforts to end EJKs in the country.
“Sana po sa pagpunta ko dito ay makatulong ako na matuldukan ang isyung ito at mapanagot ang mga may sala,” he said.
About the Author
