Tacloban City, Ph. - Mayor Rolando Espinosa yesterday sought assistance from the provincial Police as unidentified gunmen shot dead his lawyer, Rogelio Bato Jr. 48, and his 15 year-old female companion in Tacloban City.
The gunmen riddled with bullets the victim’s car from an M-16 and a .45 caliber pistol both the lawyer and his companion died instantly.
When asked about the ambush, Espinosa refused to comment about it but said that he will cooperate with the authorities and will give more information on the drug activities of his son Kerwin, who is still at large.
Chief Insp. Jovie Espinido, Albuera Police accompanied Espinosa to the provincial headquarters and disclosed that the Mayor will identify the Police officers and other top government official linked to illegal drugs and if he is qualified, he could apply as a state witness against illegal drugs operations of his son and his cohorts.
But it is the DOJ’s decision if he would be qualified to be a state witness, and at this time, we are here to secure him. Espinido said.
Espinosa’s daughter said that they are no longer safe and they are in danger as of the moment now that their lawyer was killed, and they fear that their father and his relatives could be the next target, although she confirmed, that his brother Kerwin is the only one involved in the drug trade in their family.
The National Police Commission removed the Espinosa’s authority to supervise the Police after he was named by the President to be involved in illegal drugs. Although he insisted that only his son was engaged in the trafficking.
PNP region 8, Palo Leyte, led by acting regional police Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, vowed to conduct a thorough investigation and immediate arrest of the killers.
Source: Interaksyon