Ex-Marine official tagged as Espinosa's firearms supplier

PALO, Leyte, Aug. 5 (PNA) –- A retired official of the Philippine Marines was tagged as regular firearms supplier of notorious drug lord Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa, Jr., the son of Albuera, Leyte mayor.

Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, Albuera town police chief said some firearms recovered after the encounter with bodyguards and buy-bust operation near the houses of Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Jr. are “government arsenal.”

The police chief declined to name the ex-Marine official who is now based in Makati City.

“It’s true that the supplier of firearms of Espinosa group is a former official of Philippine Marines now residing in Makati. Kerwin has lots of money from drugs and he can buy many firearms,” said Espenido.

Recovered firearms after the encounter with six armed men who are members of the liquidation squad were 13 assorted long firearms, four caliber .45 pistols, one caliber .38 revolver, 17 rifle grenades, one hand grenade and assorted ammunitions.

Among the six killed in the encounter is Ricky Grabillo, a former member of the New People’s Army and allegedly the mayor’s hitman.

The PNP in the region is now building a tight case against the father and his drug lord son, said Police Eastern Visayas regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar.

“It is high time that we file cases because now there is no warrant of arrest against them, although Kerwin has standing cases, but he’s on bail,” Beltejar added. (PNA)

JMC/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR