(Eagle News) — Malacañang has denied it had a hand in the sudden cancellation of Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido’s reassignment to Iloilo.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the move to cancel was done by the “leadership of the Philippine National Police following the established policies and procedures in the transfer, reassignment and designation of their personnel.”
The PNP said a provincial police force should be led by a police official with the rank of Senior Supt., a rank Espenido, a Chief Insp., did not have.
“Everyone is enjoined to respect the order of the high command,” Abella said.
President Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech on National Heroes Day that Espenido’s new assignment was Iloilo, which he called the “bedrock of drugs” in the Visayas.
The President earlier commended Espenido’s performance, but noted also that the rule of law should always prevail in the performance of duty.
The President earlier tagged Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog in his narco-list, noting also the local chief executive’s “palace-like” house.
Mabilog has denied the allegations.
It was Espenido who led the raid that saw Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., allegedly engaged in illegal drug activities, and several others killed in July.
Espenido was also the police chief when Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was facing drug-related charges, was killed in what police said was a raid in his cell last year.