Death of Rolando Espinosa: Difference between revisions
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Rolando Espinosa, then mayor of [[Albuera, Leyte|Albuera]], [[Leyte]], died on November 5, 2016, at the Baybay City Provincial Jail. He was detained there due to his arrest for illegal drug possession in October 2016.<ref name="abscbn">{{cite news|title=Albuera Mayor Espinosa shot dead inside jail cell|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/04/16/albuera-mayor-espinosa-shot-dead-inside-jail-cell|accessdate=14 November 2016|work=ABS-CBN News|date=5 November 2016}}</ref> According to the [[Criminal Investigation and Detection Group]], Espinosa was killed during a shootout that he initiated when the CIDG came to the jail to serve him with a search warrant. Espinosa's death occured amid allegations that he was involved in the drug trade by Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte, who initiated the [[Philippine Drug War]] intending to kill criminals using or distributing drugs. The [[Commission on Human Rights]] and [[Karapatan]] have called on Duterte to be accountable for Espinosa's death, with the Phillipine Senate condeming the death as an instance of extrajudicial killing. |
Rolando Espinosa, then mayor of [[Albuera, Leyte|Albuera]], [[Leyte]], died on November 5, 2016, at the Baybay City Provincial Jail. He was detained there due to his arrest for illegal drug possession in October 2016.<ref name="abscbn">{{cite news|title=Albuera Mayor Espinosa shot dead inside jail cell|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/04/16/albuera-mayor-espinosa-shot-dead-inside-jail-cell|accessdate=14 November 2016|work=ABS-CBN News|date=5 November 2016}}</ref> According to the [[Criminal Investigation and Detection Group]], Espinosa was killed during a shootout that he initiated when the CIDG came to the jail to serve him with a search warrant.<ref name=gmanetwork>{{cite news|title=Albuera Mayor Espinosa Shot Dead in Jail Cell|url= |
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http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/587609/news/regions/albuera-mayor-espinosa-shot-dead-in-jail-cell|access date=27 December 2016|work=GMA Network|date=14 November 2016}}</ref> Espinosa's death occured amid allegations that he was involved in the drug trade by Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte, who initiated the [[Philippine Drug War]] intending to kill criminals using or distributing drugs. The [[Commission on Human Rights]] and [[Karapatan]] have called on Duterte to be accountable for Espinosa's death, with the Phillipine Senate condeming the death as an instance of extrajudicial killing. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Revision as of 18:24, 27 December 2016
 | This article may require copy editing for really bad English. (December 2016) |
| Date | November 5, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Baybay City Provincial Jail |
| Location | Baybay, Leyte, Philippines |
| Cause | Gunshot (autopsy findings) |
| Deaths | Rolando Espinosa Raul Yap |
Rolando Espinosa, then mayor of Albuera, Leyte, died on November 5, 2016, at the Baybay City Provincial Jail. He was detained there due to his arrest for illegal drug possession in October 2016.[1] According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Espinosa was killed during a shootout that he initiated when the CIDG came to the jail to serve him with a search warrant.[2] Espinosa's death occured amid allegations that he was involved in the drug trade by Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte, who initiated the Philippine Drug War intending to kill criminals using or distributing drugs. The Commission on Human Rights and Karapatan have called on Duterte to be accountable for Espinosa's death, with the Phillipine Senate condeming the death as an instance of extrajudicial killing.
Background
Rolando Espinosa | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Albuera, Leyte | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – November 5, 2016 | |
| Succeeded by | Rosa Nemeses |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rolando Espinosa May 5, 1950[citation needed] |
| Died | November 5, 2016 (aged 66) Baybay, Leyte, Philippines |
Rolando Espinosa
Rolando Espinosa was a Filipino politician who served as mayor of Albuera, Leyte. He was elected to the position in the May 2016 Philippine elections. Espinosa's campaign focused on combating illegal drugs.[3] Prior to his political career, Espinosa already owned three houses and a hotel in Albuera. The Philippine National Police allege that his son Kerwin Espinosa is involved in the illegal drug trade.[3]
First surrender
On August 1, 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who was conducting a nationwide campaign against illegal drugs, asked Espinosa and his son Kerwin to surrender themselves within 24 hours "on the grounds of drug-trafficking and coddling." Duterte said that the police would arrest and possibly shoot them if they resisted arrest.[4] Fearing for his life, Espinosa voluntarily surrendered himself at Camp Crame to Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa on Aug 2. Espinosa admitted that his son Kerwin was involved in the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas and urged Kerwin, who had a standing arrest warrant, to surrender himself to authorities. However, Espinosa denied using money from illegal drugs to finance his election campaign. He agreed to undergo drug testing and was turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. At the time of his arrest, the mayor did not have a standing arrest warrant.[5]
At 5:30 a.m (UTC +8) on August 3, the police had a shootout with twelve armed men with alleged links to Espinosa in Barangay, Benolho. Six of the men were killed, and 237 grams (8.4 oz) shabu or methamphetamine worth ₱1.9 million, along with some firearms, were recovered.[6]
On August 4, 2016, the CIDG Region 8 and the Albuera Police Station filed criminal charges against the Espinosas.[7]
On August 6, Espinosa, along with his daughter and wife, left the PNP's residence and went back to Leyte.[8]
On August 7, Duterte announced a list of government officials, police officers, and law practitioners who were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade in the country. Espinosa was included in Duterte's list.[9]
Espinosa resumed work as mayor on August 16.
Second surrender and arrest
On August 24, 2016, Espinosa went to the police to seek custody due to threats to his life. Espinosa promised to reveal his son's connections. Three days later, the police took Espinosa into custody. On October 5, Espinosa was arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs when the police found at least 11 kilograms (24 lb) of methamphetamine at the Espinosa ancestral home in Albuerra.[7]
Espinosa was brought to the Baybay City Regional Trial Court, which ordered him to be detained at the Baybay City Provincial Jail. In October, he was charged with illegal drug possession by the regional trial court. He was also brought to the Western Leyte Provincial Hospital, where he underwent a medical examination.[10]
Death
Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 at the Baybay City Provincial Jail in Barangay Hipusngo issued two search warrants against Rolando Espinosa and Raul Yap, who was also suspected to be involved in illegal drugs. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Region 8, led by Police Chief Inspector Leo Laraga, served the warrants in early morning of November 5, 2016. According to the CIDG, Espinosa and Yap first shot at the CIDG operatives, resulting in a shootout between the two men and CIDG. Espinosa and Yap died in the alleged firefight.[11]
Reaction
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan expressed concerns with strong indications that the death of Espinosa was "cold-blooded murder," saying that the circumstances of his death were highly questionable. They urged the relief of CIDG operatives involved in the incident as well as of CIDG Section 8 leadership, pending a "thorough and impartial" investigation. The group also said that those implicated in the list of alleged drug lords may take advantage of Espinosa's killing. They urged Duterte to condemn Rolando Espinosa's killing and labeled the incident as a setback for the president's war on drugs.[12]
The Commission on Human Rights and Karapatan also called for people involved in Espinosa's death to be held accountable. Karapatan in particular linked the police to "narcopolitics" and alleged that the CIDG conducted a "rubout".[13]
Following the incident, Senator Panfilo Lacson called for the possible resumption of the Senate inquiry regarding drug-related deaths in relation to the Philippine war on drugs. He labeled the incident as a "clear case of extrajudicial killing" and as the "biggest challenge to the credibility of the PNP". Lacson alleged that there was a cover-up for "bigger personalities" and questioned why the CIDG instead of a court sheriff was sent since Espinosa was already detained. He also alleged that Yap was killed so that there would be no one to testify.[14]
Aftermath
Investigation
 | This section needs attention from an expert in Crime. Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the section. (December 2016) |
PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa ordered an investigation of the incident, promising that there would be no cover-up.[15] On the same day as the CIDG operation, operatives arrived at the crime scene, where they recovered a Super Caliber .38 pistol, a magazine of live ammunition, a small heat-sealed sachet of suspected methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia in Espinosa's cell.[11]
A panel led by Regional Director Chief Superintendent Beltejar of Region 8 was formed to investigate the incident. The Regional Internal Affairs Service also planned to conduct a separate investigation.[11]
Video footage of the CIDG operations was found to be missing. An autopsy on Espinosa's body revealed that he was shot four times, with one bullet managing to exit the body. The findings of the study also raised the possibility that Espinosa may have been lying down when he was shot dead. Two of his expensive rings were also found to be missing. The bullets were sent to the regional crime laboratory for further investigation.[15]
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also became involved in the case. In December 2016, the agency concluded that the death of Rolando Espinosa was a result of a rubout. It recommended the filing of murder and perjury charges against police involved in the operation. The NBI described the arrest warrant, which served as basis for the operation, as being "maliciously obtained". It noted that Paul Olendan, whose perjured affidavit the warrant was based on, was in Leyte National High School in Tacloban at the time when he claimed to be visiting Baybay Jail. The NBI added that there was an anti-contraband operation in the jail where Espinosa was detained on October 30, 2016, where enforcers only found cellphones.[16]
Burial of Espinosa
Espinosa was buried at the Catholic Cemetery in Albuera, Leyte on December 3, 2016, following a requiem mass at the Saint James Parish Church. His funeral procession was attended by 1,500 people.[17]
References
- ^ "Albuera Mayor Espinosa shot dead inside jail cell". ABS-CBN News. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "Albuera Mayor Espinosa Shot Dead in Jail Cell". GMA Network. 14 November 2016.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|access date=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Who is Rolando Espinosa, Sr.?. ABS-CBN News Network. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Duterte orders drug-accused Mayor to surrender within 24 hours". ABS-CBN News. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ Nicolas, Fiona (2 August 2016). "Leyte mayor surrenders for fear for his life, heeds Duterte's call against drugs". CNN Philippines. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "6 alleged Espinosa men killed in Leyte shootout with police". GMA News. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ a b "From the arrest to the killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa". GMA News. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "Espinosas leave PNP's White House". GMA News. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "DUTERTE'S LIST: 'Narco' politicos, lawmen, judges". ABS-CBN News. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ "Police arrest Leyte town mayor linked to drugs". ABS-CBN News. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Parco, Bernadette (5 November 2016). "Albuera Mayor Espinosa shot dead in jail cell". GMA News. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ Gonzales, Yuji Vincent (7 November 2016). "Mayor Espinosa's killing sets back Duterte's drug war—Bayan". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ Colcol, Erwin (11 November 2016). "Duterte urged to hold persons behind Espinosa death accountable". GMA News. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ Quismundo, Tarra (5 November 2016). "Lacson: Mayor Espinosa's slay a 'clear case of extrajudicial killing'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ a b Docdocan, Ranulfo (6 November 2016). "Slain Mayor Espinosa shot 4 times, autopsy results show". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ Araneta, Sandy; Bencito, John Paolo (6 December 2016). "Murder raps eyed vs 'Espinosa cops'". Manila Standard. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ Gabieta, Joey (4 December 2016). "A town in grief Hundreds join funeral rites for Espinosa Sr". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 6 December 2016.