Kerwin Espinosa fears for his life upon return to PH

DUBAI, UAE – Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa fears he would suffer the same fate as his father, slain Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr, once he is deported to the Philippines. (READ: Espinosa death: 3 issues police need to answer )

Ambassador Constancio R. Vingno Jr said a distraught Espinosa raised this concern when the Philippine envoy talked with him at Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba Jail, on Thursday, November 11. He added that Espinosa requested that his common-law wife, Hazel, and 3 children be allowed to fly home with him.

“In relation to the death of his father, nagwo-worry siya na baka the same thing ang mangyari sa kanya. Namatay tatay niya under detention,” Vingno told The Filipino Times in a phone interview from Abu Dhabi.

(In relation to the death of his father, he is worried that the same thing may happen to him. His father died while under detention.)

Espinosa had asked that he and his family be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program which is up to the Department of Justice to approve. A team from the Philippine National Police (PNP) will reportedly fly to Abu Dhabi on November 13 bring him back home.

Espinosa will be detained temporarily at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Media reports quoted PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa as saying that he would let Espinosa stay at the White House, the official residence of the PNP chief, to ensure his safety.

The PNP chief had extended the same courtesy to Mayor Espinosa, who was joined by some family members, but the top cop evicted them after the younger Espinosa failed to meet the PNP’s surrender deadline.

Vingno said he talked to Espinosa for an hour inside a room with two UAE police officials standing guard. “Gusto ko nga sanang kunan ng litrato pero di daw puwede (I wanted to take a photo but I was told it was not allowed),” Vingno said.

“Okay naman daw siya. He looks okay. Malungkot siya (He says he’s okay. He looks okay. He’s sad),” he added.

Vingno said Espinosa, who was arrested October 16 in Abu Dhabi, also requested that his common-law wife’s mobile number be registered so she can call him. At the moment, Vingno said, Espinosa is only able to talk to her through his lawyer. – Rappler.com

This story was republished with permission from The Filipino Times of the United Arab Emirates