Espenido faces charges for gag order breach

By Jennifer Rendon 

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 found probable cause to administratively charge controversial Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido for allegedly violating the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) internal instruction.

Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, said Espenido already submitted his explanation for the so-called unauthorized press conference at the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) on Feb. 19, 2020.

Specifically, Espenido was made to answer administrative inquiry why he called for a press conference despite a “gag order” from no less than PNP chief General Archie Gamboa.

The gag order prohibited police personnel from commenting on issues surrounding the 357 policemen in the PRRD (President Rodruterte) narco list.

Pamuspusan earlier said he ordered Espenido to appear at his office immediately after the press conference.

The controversial policeman was asked why he did not follow Gamboa’s instruction to wait for Camp Crame’s announcement on the list.

Pamuspusan said the PNP leadership might have seen Espenido’s action as a violation of the PNP chief’s instructions.

Based on the explanation submitted by Espenido to the PNP Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), the latter saw the need to further investigate the matter.

“Initially, ang parang conclusion ng ating R7 (RIDMD) is to proceed with the next level of our investigation,” he said.

When pressed on what the next level of probe means, Pamuspusan said there’s a probable cause for the filing of an administrative case.

The investigation will now proceed to summary hearing proceedings.

The case will now be forwarded to the Discipline, Law and Order Section (DLOS) of the PNP Regional Personnel and Human Resource Doctrine Division for the assignment of a summary hearing officer.

But such a violation is not tantamount to dismissal from service.

 

EXPLANATION 

Espenido allegedly claimed that he only answered questions from journalists when he came back to Bacolod to retrieve his personal things.

“Sabi niya pati ‘yung ibang tao naman is tinitingnan na din ang dignity niya as a person and probably binalewala niya ang pagiging member niya ng PNP because para sa kanya mas importante na ma-maintain ang dignity niya as a person and for being mentioned as a part of that watchlist and being the so-called poster boy of the anti-illegal drugs campaign definitely kahit naman siguro sino pag ganun background… We will give it to him that he will really have to defend his dignity also,” he said.

But after the Bacolod City presscon, Espenido also held a media interview in Iloilo City where he again made several controversial pronouncements.

While Espenido claimed that he only answered queries during an ambush interview, it appeared that journalists were given a heads up that he’s willing to answer questions on the day he was interviewed.