NBI recommends drug raps vs. Kerwin Espinosa, 25 others

In a letter dated Dec. 9, 2019 to Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento released to media Wednesday, NBI Director Dante A. Gierran recommended Espinosa’s prosecution. (File Photo By mark pedron (Wikipedia Takes Manila participant)/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of drug trafficking charges against self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and 25 others.

In a letter dated Dec. 9, 2019 to Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento released to media Wednesday, NBI Director Dante A. Gierran recommended Espinosa’s prosecution.

Aside from Espinosa, also recommended for prosecution by the NBI were Marcelo Adorco, Maba Limbona, Brian Anthony Zaldivar alias Tonypet, Galo Legaspi alias Kapre, Chief Insp. Wilfredo C. Abordo, Police Officer 3 Dennis Torrefel, Galo Bobares, Ferdinand Rondina alias Denan, Jose Antipuesto alias Joe, Jose Estrera alias Amang, Nickjune Canin, Alfred Batistis, Josela Dumaguit alias Jojie, Baysay L. Custodio and Viberca Diano.

Likewise recommended for charges were Chief Supt. Asher Dolina, Senior Insp. Eufracio Javines, Insp. Bernie D. Magamay, Senior Police Officer 3 Edgardo Betuin, PO3 Roberto Arafol, Senior Supt. Elizar P. Egloso, PO2 Marvin Parac, Vistor L. Espina Jr., Martin L. Espina and Marites S. Ang.

Espinosa was released from the New Bilibid Prison in November 2009, on orders of the Court of Appeals after a month behind bars.

He returned to Cebu City where he was incarcerated again in 2010. He moved his drug operations to Eastern Visayas in 2011 and was detained in the Ormoc City jail until 2013 for illegal possession of firearms and frustrated murder.

“Despite detention for almost two years, Kerwin’s drug trade flourished in Eastern Visayas through his cohorts, private armed men and coddlers,” the NBI said.

The agency said part of the NBI’s findings was based on Espinosa’s extrajudicial confession on December 14, 2016.

In July 2018, the Department of Justice indicted Espinosa for a separate case of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading along with another drug convict Peter Co.