(Eagle News) — The killings of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and his inmate Raul Yap in their cell last year were premeditated, according to a report by two Senate committees.
The senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, and the committee on justice and human rights also said that the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 led by Supt. Marvin Marcos abused their authority to cover up their involvement in illegal drug activities.
“Based on thorough consideration of established procedures, jurisprudence, ordinary human experience as well as testimonies offered and documents submitted during the joint public hearings conducted by the committee on public order and dangerous drugs and the committee on justice and human rights, the joint committee has reached the conclusion that the killing of Mayor Espinosa was premeditated,” the 34-page joint committee report said.
The committees headed by Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senator Richard Gordon, respectively, also condemned the use of overwhelming force by the authorities in applying for and implementing the search warrants inside Espinosa’s cell.
“The committees strongly condemn the killing of (Mayor Rolando) Espinosa and (Raul) Yap. Though they have committed violations of our existing laws, the same is to be determined by our courts. Granting that certain freedoms are denied to detainees, including their right to privacy, they are still entitled to the fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the Constitution,” it said.
The panels also found the serving of arrest warrants by the PNP-CIDG Region 8 from courts, doubtful and suspicious.
“The committees question not only the necessity but also the intention of CIDG-8 in applying for and implementing the search warrants. More so, the place of application was suspicious,” the report said.
“What is more appalling was the fact that the jail guards as well as the PNP personnel, assigned to ensure the safety of Mayor Espinosa, were disarmed and made to kneel down and face the wall for the entire duration of the operation even after Mayor Espinosa and Yap were killed,” it added.
Espinosa and Yap, were shot dead allegedly by Marcos’ men inside the Baybay City sub provincial jail in Leyte on Nov. 5, 2016.
The late Leyte mayor was at that time facing charges of illegal possession of drugs and firearms.
Eagle News Service