ALLEGED drug lord Kerwin Espinosa expressed his belief on Friday that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte allegedly ordered the 2016 killing of his father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, as part of the previous administration’s brutal war on drugs.
During the eighth public hearing of the House Quad Committee, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. asked Espinosa who he believed was responsible for his father’s murder. “Palagay mo, sino ang nag-utos para ipapatay ang papa mo?” Abante asked.
Espinosa responded, “Tayong mga Pilipino, nakita natin sa TV na ang dating presidente nagsasabi na patayin niya lahat ng mga nasa narco-list. So pagkaintindi ko, siya talaga ang nag-utos na patayin ang papa ko.”
When Abante pressed further, asking, “So naniniwala ka na ang dating pangulo ang nag-utos na ipapatay ang iyong tatay?” Espinosa firmly confirmed, “Opo Mr. Chair.”
The late mayor, who was linked to the illegal drug trade, was killed inside his jail cell on Nov. 5, 2016, after surrendering to police following a warning from Duterte that he would be targeted if he didn’t turn himself in.
Espinosa told the Quad Committee that his family was a victim of drug-related EJKs and that former Philippine National Police chief, now Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, pressured him to confess to drug involvement and implicate high-profile figures, including former Sen. Leila De Lima.
“Sinabihan ako ni Bato na may basbas ‘yan sa taas at ang ibig sabihin nito ay alam ito ni Presidente Rodrigo Duterte,” Espinosa stated in his four-page sworn affidavit, which he read into the official record.
Abante directly asked Espinosa if it was Dela Rosa who instructed him on what to testify about in the Senate, including his alleged drug involvement and other individuals.
“Exactly your Honor, siya talaga ang nag-utos sa akin at nagplano kung ano ang mga sasabihin ko sa Senado,” Espinosa confirmed.
Abante then asked who Espinosa believed was giving orders to Dela Rosa.
“Ang nakakataas kay Gen. Bato, sa palagay ko, sa aking pagka-intindi, walang iba kung hindi presidente na lang ang pinaka-mataas na pwedeng mag-utos sa kanya,” Espinosa explained.
When asked why he believed this, Espinosa pointed to the confidence of police officers involved in EJKs, accusing them of abusing their power and treating drug suspects like animals.
“Inabuso ang kanilang uniporme… parang mga hayop na lang ang tingin nila sa mga drug-related,” he said, lamenting that due process was often ignored, resulting in widespread killings that tarnished the Philippines’ global reputation.
Espinosa provided the same responses during the interpellation by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, who questioned him about his interactions with Dela Rosa after his return to the Philippines following his father’s death.
Espinosa confirmed that while Dela Rosa never directly mentioned his father’s killing, he implied that the actions were backed by higher authorities.
“Sinabihan ako ni Bato na may basbas ‘yan sa taas,” Espinosa stated, suggesting that the orders came from Duterte.
Manuel asked who Espinosa believed issued the orders. “Ayon sa sarili kong pagkaintindi, galing kay Chief PNP at kung sino pa ang mas mataas na level kay Chief PNP, doon galing kay Presidente,” he replied.
Espinosa added that Duterte’s repeated threats on television to kill drug suspects reinforced his belief that his father’s death was ordered by the President.
Manuel asked what actions Espinosa believed were sanctioned by Dela Rosa and Duterte.
Espinosa claimed these included both the killing of his father and efforts to implicate high-profile figures like De Lima in the drug trade.
He also shared the fear he felt after his father’s death, believing he might be next.
“Ang naramdaman ko noon ay takot na ako ay isunod nilang patayin,” Espinosa admitted, revealing how vulnerable he felt in the aftermath of his father’s murder.
Both Duterte and Dela Rosa have consistently denied direct involvement in the killings, maintaining that the operations were lawful.
