Kerwin: My father was a rubout victim

MANILA, Philippines - Alleged drug trafficker Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. believes the police murdered his father.

Espinosa made the statement before reporters on the plane that took him back to Manila from Dubai at dawn yesterday.

“I can’t believe claims that my father fought with the police. It’s not a shootout, it’s a rubout,” he said.

Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was killed during a supposed shootout with policemen from the regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who were serving a search warrant in his detention cell at the Baybay City sub-provincial jail in Leyte on Nov. 5.

Another inmate, Raul Yap, who was facing drug trafficking charges, was also killed.

The younger Espinosa said there were several witnesses that disputed the claims of the CIDG that there was a shootout.

Kerwin said his siblings had obtained statements from several inmates who saw what really happened.

“They (inmates) will be standing as witnesses,” he said.

Kerwin said it was almost impossible for his father to deal with illegal drugs and to possess a gun inside his detention cell as all visitors at the jail facility are thoroughly frisked before they could enter.

Kerwin said he agreed to turn state witness after learning that his father was killed in an apparent attempt to silence him.

He agreed to reveal the key players in the illegal drug operations named by his slain father.

All of these, Kerwin stressed, would be made in the presence of his lawyer.

The elder Espinosa reportedly maintained a ledger of key personalities who were on the take in the illegal drug operations in Eastern Visayas. Among the personalities allegedly listed in the supposed blue book was Sen. Leila de Lima.

In so far as De Lima’s supposed involvement is concerned, Kerwin said he will only answer those questions in the presence of his lawyer.

Kerwin appealed to President Duterte to give him the chance to change and lead a new life.

He claimed he was not trying to escape but only to secure his family, knowing fully well that Duterte is serious in his campaign against illegal drugs.

“First of all, I left the country because I knew that President Duterte is true and serious in his nationwide crackdown against illegal drugs and other crimes. I left the country because I was afraid,” Kerwin said.

He stressed his primary concern was the safety of his family.

Kerwin said he first went to Malaysia, then to Phuket, Thailand. From there, he flew to Hong Kong then the United Arab Emirates, where he was arrested.

He added that he was with his common-law wife and their children when he was arrested by Dubai security forces for overstaying.

He also belied reports that he had plastic surgery in an attempt to change his physical appearance to evade arrest.

Kerwin denied accusations that he is a high-level drug trafficker in Eastern Visayas.

Kerwin claimed his only involvement in illegal drugs was to sell them at the street level.

“I know I am involved but I am not a drug lord in Eastern Visayas. I am just the seller but when I left the country, I also stopped (peddling illegal drugs),” he said.

Facing the media, Kerwin appealed to President Duterte for forgiveness.

Given a chance to mend his ways, Kerwin vowed to cooperate with the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.