ILOILO City – Controversial police officer Jovie Espenido has reported to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) headquarters in Camp Delgado here. “Kahit saan ako ma-assign I’m willing to help address the illegal drug problem,” declared the now police lieutenant colonel.
While waiting for a special order from the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City for his specific post, Espenido is temporarily under the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo recently said Espenido’s transfer to Western Visayas was a response to Bacolod City’s illegal drug problem.
Espenido failed to see PRO-6 director Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan yesterday; the latter was attending a conference in Camp Crame.
“There will be a courtesy call when our regional director returns,” said Malong.
In the absence of Pamuspusan, Espenido conferred with PRO-6’s chief of the Directorial Staff, Police Colonel Marlon Tayaba, and chief of the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division, Police Colonel Lupe Manlapas.
Espenido said he would heed Camp Crame’s order regarding his assignment whatever and wherever it may be.
Malong previously said Espenido’s projected assignment was the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
“Kahit saan ako ma-assign I am willing to help address the illegal drug problem. That is our main concern. Magtrabaho lang tayo para sa kabutihan ng ating bayan,” said Espenido.
High-value drug personalities would be prioritized, he added.
“No problem if Espenido is assigned at the BCPO. He will be a big help in our fight against illegal drugs,” said Police Colonel Henry Biñas, Bacolod City police director.
For his part, Bacolod City’s Mayor Evelio Leonardia already appeared certain that Espenido would be assigned in his turf.
“I was told that the motivation of the President (in reassigning Espenido) is to help Bacolod. I believe Bacolod is very close to the heart of the President that’s why there’s this special attention,” said Leonardia.
Citing Espenido’s “expertise” in the campaign against illegal drugs, Leonardia said the police officer’s presence in Bacolod is “meant to intensify, expand, and maybe hasten” the efforts of the BCPO.
Espenido led the drug raid that killed
Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife and several others in July 2017.
He was the police chief in Albuera, Leyte when then mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.,
who was detained for charges of illegal drugs and illegal possession of
firearms, was killed in his cell in November 2016.
“He is welcome. Illegal drugs remain a big concern although the local police is doing well,” said Leonardia.
The BCPO’s latest major drug hauls included a P1.2-million worth of suspected shabu seized from two persons inside a motel in Barangay 6 on Friday last week, and P300,000 worth of the same prohibited substance from two other suspects in Barangay 2 on Sunday.
In January this year, President Rodrigo Duterte sacked five Bacolod police officers whom he accused of protecting drug syndicates. He also took potshots at a city councilor.
Espenido’s most recent assignment was as chief of the police office in Ozamiz City, Northern Mindanao.
Presidential spokesperson Panelo said the President received a lot of reports about the illegal drug problem in Bacolod City.
He quoted the President as saying, “‘Kaya nga nag-ano si Espenido. ‘Yan ang response ko diyan sa problema ng Bacolod.’”
In Aug. 28, 2017 Espenido was reassigned by the President from Ozamiz City to Iloilo City that he branded as “most shabulized.”
The reassignment, however, was recalled just days after by Duterte himself who said he was giving in to the requests of the residents of Ozamiz City not to transfer Espenido yet.
It was found out that Espenido, then with the rank of Chief Inspector, was not yet qualified to become the director of a police office; he could only be a chief of a police of station./PN
