Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa firmly denied allegations that he instructed Police Colonel Jovie Espenido to kill anyone, including members of the Espinosa drug syndicate. In a radio interview on Saturday, Dela Rosa clarified his orders given to Espenido when he was assigned to Albuera, Leyte.
“All I know is that my only instruction when I sent him to Albuera was to go there, solve the drug problem, clean Albuera of illegal drugs, and tackle the Espinosa drug syndicate because he was the mayor at the time,” Dela Rosa explained.
He emphasized, “I didn’t give him any instruction to kill anybody.”
This statement from the former Philippine National Police chief comes in response to recent allegations made by Espenido during a House probe, suggesting that he had been ordered to take drastic measures against the Espinosa syndicate.
Dela Rosa criticized Espenido for what he called an “interpretation” of his instructions. “Why did he immediately think of killing when my instruction was to go after them? I meant to arrest them through operations. If he thinks that way, despite being a cop, he has a problem,” he remarked.
He also dismissed claims by Espenido that he was a “protector” of certain individuals involved in illegal drugs. “I bet my own life and the life of my family if I have ever been a protector of drugs,” Dela Rosa stated, underscoring his stance against illegal activities.
Addressing Espenido’s claim that the Philippine National Police (PNP) was the largest crime syndicate in the country, Dela Rosa called it a baseless and heartbreaking statement. “Does he mean that the salary he receives from the PNP, which he uses to feed and educate his children, comes from syndicates?” Dela Rosa questioned, highlighting the inconsistency in Espenido’s remarks.