PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday brushed aside the finding of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that the death of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was a “police rubout.”
Duterte, in a speech delivered at the Urban Poor Solidarity Week in Mandaluyong City, said it was “good” that the NBI released its finding on the death of Espinosa and stressed that it could file a case against those involved in the killing.
He, however, maintained that he would continue to believe the testimonies of the police who conducted law enforcement operations against illicit drug sale.
“Let’s be frank because here, the NBI’s finding [is that Espinosa killing is a] murder. Good, file a case. But I will tell you, I believe the police because because us, congressman and mayor, who would you believe if there is a problem, the police or the criminal?” the President said.
“Why would I sacrifice the police? I don’t care if the NBI would said it’s murder. Besides, NBI is still under me, under the Department of Justice,” he added.
On Tuesday, the NBI recommended the filing of multiple murder charges against Superintendent Marvin Marcos and other members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Region 8, in connection with the killings of Espinosa and other inmate Raul Yap.
"It's rubout. Our findings show there was no shootout between Mayor Espinosa and the policemen," NBI Deputy Ferdinand Lavin said in a press conference.
Duterte reiterated that he is willing to be held liable if the police have been proven committing violations on its operations against drug personalities.
“My order to the police is this: Do your job, look for [a drug personality], arrest him, and place him under your custody. If he resists and is armed, and you think that your life is in danger, shoot him,” the President said.
“Now, if the police have been involved in such issue, provided that conditions are met, I will be the one to answer for him and go to the police. There’s no problem with me. When I was young, I’ve been put to Jail. So I’m used to it, there’s no problem with that,” he added. (Sunnex)
