Arraignment set for former PBA star who locked up secretary

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star Dennis Espino, who is under police custody for illegally detaining his secretary at his piggery farm, is set to be arraigned on Tuesday, December 4.

Espino, 38, was arrested after Mildred Eiman, his secretary, complained to authorities that Espino locked her up for more than a month.

Eiman said Espino locker her up in his farm, located at the foot of Mt. Arayat, where left-leaning rebels have reportedly been spotted. She claimed she was detained because she could not pay him her debt of P5,000.

The former Powerade Tigers player, who was nicknamed “Dennis the Menace” for his playing style, is facing charges for serious illegal detention and illegal possession of firearms.

Political clout

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Espino was arrested last November 29 in his brother’s office in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

It took the CIDG 8 months to arrest Espino because of his supposed political clout in the area — Espino is the cousin of incumbent Mayor Luis Espino and the nephew of former town mayor Chito Espino.

No bail was recommended for the arrested former athlete. – Rappler.com