Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa should not be given immunity but should definitely be protected, according to Sen. Grace Poe.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has said the alleged drug lord, who was nabbed in the United Arab Emirates, could qualify for witness protection because "he appears to be not the most guilty". Aguirre, who has tagged Sen. Leila De Lima as an alleged coddler of drug lords, said "when there's someone else from the government [involved], then that person could be the most guilty."
Poe however, does not agree that Espinosa should get immunity.
"Kung ako sa gobyerno, hindi dapat bigyan ng immunity ang mga ganyan kasi gagayahin na ng iba at sasabihin 'kakanta lang ako pag ako'y nahuli tapos idadawit ko ang ibang kasamahan ko,' mali yun e," Poe said in an interview.
Kerwin was arrested in Abu Dhabi in October. He had gone into hiding after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a shoot-to-kill order against him and his father, the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
The elder Espinosa was killed in a supposed shootout with police officers serving a search warrant on him before at the Baybay Sub-provincial Jail before dawn last Saturday. The killing has prompted an investigation at the Senate.
Aguirre said in a separate statement that Kerwin could also be used as a witness in the drug charges against De Lima.
Poe added that although she does not agree with granting immunity, she does agree that Kerwin should have protection.
"Kung maaari nga sana ay mamalagi muna siya sa kulungan sa ibang bansa sapagkat inaayos pa natin itong problema dito," Poe said, adding that if allowed, Kerwin could give his testimony via Skype or video conferencing.
"Puwedeng ilagay muna siya sa isang lugar na hindi siya mapapatay dito sa kulungan," Poe added.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a former Philippine National Police chief, also said on Thursday that the government must ensure Kerwin's safety after his father's death.
The younger Espinosa has an alleged “blue book” that contains “validated” names of politicians who were recipients of drug money allegedly used in the recent election campaign.
"Therefore, unlike his late father, the Albuera mayor, he must live to tell his story," Lacson said.
Poe said that Kerwin can still testify at the Senate through video conferencing as long as a representative of the Senate is with him when he does.
"Sa mga nangyayari ngayon sa tingin ko dapat muna matunton. Kung saka-sakaling uuwi siya dito, saan siya ilalagay?" Poe said, adding he should be kept away from the Eastern Visayas.
Poe also added that there should be a point person in the PNPassigned to Kerwin's security, suggesting Director Benjamin Magalong, deputy PNP chief for operations.
"Hindi dahil sa masyadong importante at mahalaga ikumpara sa iba ang buhay nitong si Kerwin Espinosa, hindi po. Lalung-lalo na napakarami ng nabiktima dahil sa kaniyang kagagawan. Pero dahil nga sa kaniyang nalalaman mas mapapanagot pa natin ang iba," Poe said.
The post Poe: Protection, Not Immunity for Kerwin appeared first on The Philippine Star
Share It To Your Friends!
Loading...