TACLOBAN
CITY, Aug. 4 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has declared the
neutralization of the alleged liquidation squad of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando
Espinosa after killing six of them in an encounter on Wednesday and seizure of
assorted firearms.
Chief Insp.
Jovie Espenido, Albuera municipal police chief said the 3rd class town is more peaceful
now following the deaths of some members of Espinosa group.
"Albuera
is more peaceful now that the mayor and his son are gone and after the
encounter. In fact, three hours after the firefight, some bodyguards came out
and turned over several firearms," said Espenido, who was installed as
town police chief on July 18.
If it is
okay for PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa for the mayor to return
and function as chief executive, Espenido said it would be better for the
father to quit his post.
"It's
better for him to resign since he's not fit to lead a local government unit.
Everybody knows that he's engaged in illegal drugs and leads a liquidation
squad," the official told reporters.
The band of
private armies is allegedly led by the mayor and his son, Rolando, Jr. known as
"Kerwin."
At least six
of them were killed during an encounter with the police early Wednesday
morning.
The police
identified those killed in shootout as Ricky Gravillo of Albuera, Teresito Laro
Paderanga of Zamboanga del Sur, Richard Mato of Zamboanga del Sur, an alias
Tatay from Mindanao, an alias Arman from Mindanao, and one unidentified
bodyguard.
"They
are members of the liquidation squad. They don't even wear bonnets when they
commit crimes since they are confident that no one recognizes them,"
Espenido added.
The armed
group are reportedly behind the killings of the town's former police chief, a
newly elected town councilor and a police asset. These killings took place
between May to July this year.
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO
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