Kerwin’s return to Leyte from Abu Dhabi delayed

ESPINOSA

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)is still holding in custody alleged bigtime drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and is now examining his travel documents to check whether he violated immigration laws during his stay in the Middle Eastern country, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

This means the three-man team from the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group sent to Abu Dhabi could not bring Espinosa back to the Philippines until the issue is resolved, PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

“The custody of Kerwin Espinosa is still with Abu Dhabi authorities. The Ministry of Interior is now looking if Kerwin violated any of their laws while staying in UAE. If he has done a violation, his deportation will be delayed,” he said.

Carlos said UAE authorities are still determining whether Espinosa used fake passports when he travelled to Abu Dhabi from Hong Kong. Before Hong Kong, the drug suspect reportedly fled to Malaysia last June 21.

While in Abu Dhabi, Espinosa went to a travel agency to apply for an extension of his visa for fear of being arrested for overstaying.

According to the PNP, they monitored two arrival dates of Espinosa in Abu Dhabi, one on August 1 and September 23.

The police are also investigating whether there were individuals who coddled Espinosa while he was hiding in Abu Dhabi.

Custody

Carlos said from the Abu Dhabi police, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior took custody of Espinosa after his arrest 10 p.m. Sunday (2 a.m. Manila time) in an apartment by the authorities who acted on a tip from Filipinos working in the city.

The warrant of arrest served on Espinosa, son of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., was issued by the Regional Trial Court of Baybay, Leyte for illegal possession of firearms. He was arrested by virtue of a Red Notice issued by Interpol.

“We hope that with the presence of our team there, mas mapabilis ‘yung access natin at kung maari, mapabilis din ‘yung proseso ng pag-transfer ng custody ni Kerwin sa PNP. Sana ay wala siyang nilabag na batas ng UAE para maging dahilan na mas ma-delay ‘yung deportation niya,” he said.

(We hope that with the presence of our team there, our access will be easier, and, if possible, the process of transferring Kerwin’s custody to the PNP would be expedited. Hopefully he had not violated any laws in the UAE that could cause delay in his deportation.)

The PNP AIDG team composed of Senior Supt. Albert Ferro, AIDG chief, Senior Supt. Randy Peralta and Senior Supt. Alden Delvo flew to UAE last week after an OFW there reported Espinosa’s presence.

Protective gear

Kerwin might be asked to wear a bulletproof vest and helmet to ensure his safe return to the country.

If there’s a need for Espinosa to wear protective gear, Carlos said they would be willing to provide bulletproof vest and helmet for the erstwhile fugitive to ensure his safety.

“Sisiguraduhin natin safety ni Kerwin para mapanagot natin siya dito sa Pilipinas sa mga viniolate niyang batas,” he added.

Carlos said the PNP’s anti-narcotics unit would take charge of Espinosa’s security, as well as the investigation of his case.

“If Kerwin is flown back here to the country, siya po ay hahawakan ng (PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group) dito sa Camp Crame para ma-imbestigahan and we will make an arrangement for the return of the arrest warrant to the issuing court in Baybay, Leyte,” he said.

Meantime, Cebu City police director Joel Doria said he hoped Kerwin would squeal on his protectors in government.

“If he will name names, then we will know who really coddled him,” he said.

It is also possible Kerwin would identify police officers who protected his illegal drugs operations.

“If there are uniformed men, then that would be good. That is part of our internal cleansing in the PNP. That’s worthy of an investigation,” Doria said.