Espenido tags village officials, cops, PDEA agents in drugs

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Amid the controversy he is facing in the government’s drug war, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido claimed Wednesday that some barangay officials, police officers, and personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) are allegedly involved in illegal drugs here.

Espenido, who met with the members of the media in a press briefing at the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) headquarters yesterday, said that the information came from “A-1 informants” assigned in the field to gather information from communities while he was still assigned at the BCPO.

He served BCPO as deputy chief for three months.

The BCPO has been validating reports of the alleged drug links of four barangay officials here.

Espenido said the affidavits of the informants and interviews were already being processed as part of the evidence. He, however, refused to elaborate information.

“Pangalan, wag lang muna, at least may idea na kayo na ganun,” he said, adding that he has already validated the information.

“Iyong tao nagsabi na may tumanggap at may nagbigay, kumuha…for me validated na,” he said, referring to reports he got from some of his informants.

But he said that other government agencies in the law enforcement will still have to validate the reports as part of the process.

He said that they cannot connect directly to the principals, government officials, or drug lords if they will not apprehend small time drug personalities first. He believed that pushers and users are victims of illegal drugs.

He said the police will only know the principal suspects through their accessory and accomplices.

“Kasi takot naman ang drug lord na sila magbigay kaya nag-uutos lang sila, hindi direct bribe kaya malalaman lang natin iyan galling sa kanilang mga galamay,” he added.

“Kung may mamamatay, cut off iyon, hindi na malaman iyong source o kung sino nag-utos kaya gusto ko magsimula talaga sa baba,” he said, adding that small time drug personalities cannot influence high ranking police officials for protection.

“Maraming mas magaling sa akin. Magaling sila magtago pero continue lang tayo na palaban sa drugs,” he said.