Controversial police colonel Jovie Espenido claimed he was made a scapegoat for drug-related extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration and that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and then-Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, now Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa, were aware of it.
Espenido, testifying before the House quad-committee on Wednesday, addressed his repeated inclusion on drug lists during his assignments in Albuera, Leyte, as well as in the cities of Ozamiz and Bacolod, where he played a central role in high-profile anti-drug operations.
Dubbed the “poster boy” of the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs, Espenido said he was initially confused about being labeled a drug suspect, despite his active involvement in the fight against illegal drugs.
“At first, Your Honor, Mr. Chair, I questioned myself ‘why?’ That’s why in my testimony earlier, one time, I told President Duterte and Senator Bato—Chief PNP at the time—why did you include me? Just let me know if you don’t like it, so I don’t put myself in trouble with you adding me in the list,” Espenido recounted, as he reflected on the past conversations he had with Duterte and Dela Rosa.
During interpellation by Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, Espenido suggested that his inclusion on the drug list may have been a deliberate attempt to undermine his credibility.
“There is one time, Your Honor, Mr. Chair, I was told ‘Jov, it’s games of the general. Your inclusion gets your credibility—so that your credibility to file a complaint against the officers and the groups you disbanded would no longer be trusted because you are part of the group,”Espenido said.
Espenido’s testimony, particularly the part involving Duterte and Dela Rosa, raised serious questions about the motivations behind the creation of drug lists and the potential misuse of such lists to target individuals within law enforcement.
Also during Acop’s interpellation, Espenido provided crucial details about the death of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa and the controversial anti-drug operation in Ozamiz City that led to the deaths of several members of the Parojinog family.
When asked by Acop why Espinosa was removed from his custody before his death, Espenido revealed that the mayor had expressed grave fears for his life if transferred to another facility.
Acop further asked about the circumstances surrounding Espinosa’s death, which allegedly occurred during a search operation in Baybay Jail. Espenido confirmed the search but expressed skepticism about the official report.
When Acop asked if Espinosa’s death could be considered part of the EJKs of drug lords, Espenido responded: “Perhaps or maybe, Your Honor, Mr. Chair.”
Espenido also identified the unit responsible for the operation that led to Espinosa’s death.
“Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 8, Your Honor, in Region 8, Tacloban,” he said, adding that the unit was led by Col. Marvin Marcos.
Espenido noted that despite the controversy, “Col. Marvin Marcos is still in the service… he was promoted after.”
The discussion then shifted to Espenido’s assignment in Ozamiz City, where he was tasked with targeting the Parojinog family, a powerful clan allegedly involved in organized crime.
Espenido revealed that he believed his assignment in Ozamiz was intended to put his life in danger.
“I believe I was sent there to be killed by the Kuratong Baleleng,” Espenido said.
When Acop asked about the instructions given to him by his superiors, Espenido said, “Ganoon lang (That’s it), Your Honor, Mr. Chair. ‘Jov, sige, ikaw lang bahala (it’s up to you).’”
The operation in Ozamiz City led to the deaths of 15 to 16 individuals, including members of the Parojinog family.
Espenido defended the operation, asserting that it was conducted in accordance with police operational procedures. “That is simultaneous implementation of search warrants, Your Honor, Mr. Chair… They were all fully armed, long firearms, M-16,” he said.
Espenido’s testimony provided a closer look at the controversial operations linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war, raising further questions about the events leading to the deaths of prominent figures like Mayor Espinosa and the Parojinog family.
