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[av_heading heading=’ Espenido: I’m against EJKs ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The Iloilo City-bound Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido said he is not in favor of extrajudicial killings.
In a televised interview yesterday, Espenido said Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City and his family have nothing to worry about if they are not involved in illegal activities like illegal drug trade.
“Just to be clear, I am pro-life and I am not in favor of extrajudicial killings,” said Espenido. “For me, EJK is prohibited. But in our job as policemen, some incidents are unavoidable.”
On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Espenido’s new assignment after Ozamiz City would be Iloilo.
Just this July 30, Ozamiz City’s Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others were killed in a shootout led by Espenido who was serving search warrants at Parojinog’s properties in barangays Baybay San Roque and Baybay Santa Cruz.
Duterte had linked Parojinog to illegal drugs. He also tagged Mabilog as drug protector, a charge that the Iloilo City mayor vehemently denied.
“God knows if they are clean or not. They have nothing to worry especially if they are not involved in any illegal activity,” Espenido said yesterday. “The truth will set them free, that’s biblical.”
November last year, Espenido was also the police chief of Albuera, Leyte when its mayor, Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed in a shootout as police were attempting to serve a search warrant.
Like Parojinog, Durete also accused Espinosa of trading shabu.
“On whether Mayor Mabilog will be alive or dead will depend on God’s will,” said Espenido. “If he changes and helps, why not? But if he will fight the government, we will not think twice to retaliate.”
In a statement, Mabilog said he welcomed Espenido to Iloilo and looked forward to working with the police official in addressing the illegal drug problem.
Espenido was open to the idea. “I hope we can talk and work together to solve the drug issues and crimes in the city,” he said. “I want to know how their programs against illegal drug trade are doing.”
On Monday in Pampanga, Duterte directly addressed Mabilog: “Well, I’ll tell you again, mayor. Dinadawit ka, for the longest time. Updated list, nandiyan ka.”
He added: “E sa totoo lang, ngayon pang wala na nangyari, baka gusto mo nang tapusin ang connection mo.”
In a previews interview on national television on his possible Iloilo assignment, Espenido bared his first moves.
“Kausapin ko muna ng masinsinan…Makikita ko naman kung totoo o hindi,” he said./PN
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