THE Secretary of Justice Vitaliano Aguirre II is considering the possibility of placing Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. under the Witness Protection Program (WPP) of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
According to Aguirre, Espinosa has not yet applied to the DOJ's WP -- the department's program that seeks to protect and encourage a witness to testify before a court.
The secretary, however, clarified that although the program can be availed by witnesses, it does not mean that the department can automatically accept all the applicants who wish to enter the program.
Aguirre said they still have to evaluate if Espinosa is qualified to enter the WPP and be a state witness against alleged protectors of drug lords.
Last Monday, Espinosa submitted a drug matrix to the Leyte Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosing all the names of his son's alleged protectors. The mayor's son, Kerwin, is said to be the biggest drug lord in Eastern Visayas.
Included in Espinosa's list are some politicians, among them is former DOJ secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima.
Espinosa, during his press conference, said that he considers entering the WPP as he fears for the security of his life and his family.
Espinosa is staying in Leyte's municipal hall since August 16.
The suspected drug lord is facing a complaint for violation for the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Acts of 2002, after the Leyte police seized about P88-million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) inside his house in Barangay Benolho, Albuera last August. (Sunnex)
