MANILA PHILIPPINES – One of the most controversial police officers during the Duterte Administration’s war on drugs campaign appeared before the Quad Committee hearing on Wednesday.
In his address to the members of the quad comm PLTCOL. Jovie Espinido said the PNP has a quota
and reward system in the implementation of the war on drugs based on his affidavit.
He said he was called by former PNP Chief and now Sen. Bato Dela Rosa to become police chief in Albuera, Leyte when he was still a major so that drugs would disappear from the area.
The officer was assigned to Albuera to eliminate the drugs and disband the Kerwin Espinosa drug syndicate.
He also said that he reported directly to Dela Rosa and former president Rodrigo Duterte for orders from him.
Espinosa said 50 to 100 drug suspects should be killed in one day and the reward here is P20,000 per head.
“Ang instruction lang na tulungan mo ako, Jovie, at saka si President Duterte, about this war against illegal drugs. So, dapat, galingan mo ha, ikaw ang i-assign ko as chief of police ng Albuera, so dapat mawala na yung mga drugs sa Albuera,” Espenido said.
It is said that the watchlist lists came from the intelligence community and would be given to former President Duterte himself to hit the quota.
The reward is said to be obtained after accomplishments through search warrant and buy-bust operation or the controversial tokhang.
Espenido also mentioned that the reward system funds come directly from POGO through Senator Bong Go.
“Even intelligence funds were used in the drug war. POGO money was also used,” Espenido said in his affidavit,” he added.
The official described the previous war on drugs of the previous administration as impressive and practical, but he said he regretted that only victims were killed such as pushers and users.