CEBU, Philippines — The policeman allegedly shot dead by snipers in Talisay City last Wednesday had a lot of unexplained wealth, according to Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas.
Sinas, director of the Police Regional Office-7 told reporters yesterday that Police Technical Sergeant Mikie Espina had previously also been relieved due to alleged links with self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones.
Police Colonel Remos Medina showed reporters that Espina had P140 million in his active bank account and also owned a chicken dressing plant in Talisay City.
He said that his assets do not match his occupation, leading them to question the source of his wealth.
"Mayroon siyang P140 million sa account may planta pa samantalang SPO3 pa siya," Medina said.
Based on the January 2019 pay scheme, a Senior Police Officer 3 (Police Technical Sergeant) receives a basic salary of about P35,000.
Sinas said he contacted the Anti-Money Laundering Council regarding the questionable accounts, and was told that a case must be filed before an investigation can start.
Espina was assigned to the Theft and Robbery Section of the Talisay City Police Station before he was transferred to Masbate on July 15, 2016. Prior to this, he was first assigned to the PNP Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in Camp Crame.
Sinas said at one time Espina was relieved.
"Yes na-relieve siya, because ang link kay Franz Sabalones. He was investigated. Ang lisod kasi kapag nag-investigate, if walang evidence di ka basta-basta maka-file ng kaso if walang compelling evidence. Mao na gibuhat, nga i-relieve lang. Di na unta sila mamalik but namalik man," he said.
He said that the police were not aware that he was in Cebu, or how frequently he visits despite his assignment in Masbate.
"We are wondering why he was here when he is supposed to be in PRO-5. Nabulaga na pud mi," he said.
He said that the investigation is focusing into the claims of Espina’s family that since 2014 he has been receiving threats because of his assignment in Talisay City.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlu Conag, chief of Talisay City Police Station said that some time ago Espina arrested a member of the Kuratong Baleleng robbery group, a notorious gang with roots in Ozamiz City.
"Katong ka Espina, ang nag-threat kay mga Kuratong it has something to do with their drug connection. Before Kuratong was the biggest drug supplier of illegal drugs sa Talisay before," Sinas said.
Sabalones’ link to Espina is still unclear even after Sabalones’ admission to former PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa in 2016.
Sinas said based on their intelligence information, remnants of the Kuratong Baleleng group may have joined forces with Sabalones’ men to go after policemen.
The family of Espina claimed that before he was sniped last Wednesday, he expressed fears after reading that people from Ozamiz are now in Cebu to hunt policemen. — BRP (FREEMAN)