Police official denies TV report he introduced ex-Gen. Loot to Kerwin

LAWAS

A ranking police official in Central Visayas has belied a television report linking him to Eastern Visayas’ top drug lord Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy director for operations of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7), denied knowing Kerwin, much more introducing the drug lord to retired general and now Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot.

Quoting parts of an affidavit issued by slain Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. which linked politicians, policemen and journalists in Kerwin’s illegal drugs trade, the ABS-CBN Manila news report said Lawas’ name was mentioned by the mayor as the person who introduced Loot to Kerwin.

Loot was among the personalities charged by the Albuera police for coddling Kerwin and his illegal operations.

“Let me say this: Wala ko kaila anang Espinosa or any of the Espinosas. Since birth, taga Cebu man gyud ko. Wala gyud ko nakahibalag ana niya. (Let me say this: I do not personally know Espinosa nor any of the Espinosas. I am a pure Cebuano, and since birth, I never met Kerwin),” Lawas said in an interview.

Although he was not impleaded in the case, Lawas said he was willing to undergo an investigation to prove his innocence.

“My conscience is clean. I am willing to face any investigation,” said Lawas who remains as deputy director for operations of the regional police.

Lawas believes some police officers, who were earlier relieved from their posts, wanted to get back at him.

“Sad to say, there are really people who just wanted to drag others into where they are now. You go where you want to go. Don’t bring us with you,” he said without mentioning names.

Lawas is currently the head of the Oversight Committee on Illegal Drugs which assesses the performances of the police in the region.

Those who failed to perform well were relieved from their posts and given another assignment.

“I hope whoever these people who are fabricating stories about me will just tell the truth. Please stop destroying the reputation of others. Let us be truthful and honest. God is watching us, and God knows what kind of person I am,” he said.