More cops sent to secure hometown of Leyte’s ‘narco’ mayor

ALBUERA, Leyte, Sept. 2 (PNA) -– Police troops from the Regional Public Safety Battalion and Leyte Provincial Public Safety Company based in Baybay City are now deployed to this town to assist the local police in maintaining peace and order.

The Albuera police station is reportedly under threat for some possible attacks. This, after embattled Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Sr. revealed in his affidavit names of police generals and local government officials who are alleged protector of his alleged drug lord son Kerwin.

Currently, the mayor is staying inside the police station after he was placed under its protective custody.

Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, the town police chief, revealed that they have not received any intelligence report of possible attacks. “But we don’t want to discount the possibilities also, so it’s important that we are prepared to respond.”

“We will strengthen our actions in Albuera. What we’ve got to make sure of is that we have the resources at the right place and at the right time,” the police official said. “It’s really important that people here are reassured that all of us are doing our bit to keep this town safe.”

Albuera has been guarded by armed police troops since Espinosa voluntarily surrendered to Philippine National Police Director General Ronald de la Rosa early last month. President Rodrigo R. Duterte named Espinosa as coddler of son Kerwin, the alleged top drug lord in Eastern Visayas region.

Policemen have been patrolling around the town and conducting random checkpoints in the bid to further neutralize the private armed groups of the Espinosa group.

Police and local village officials have been implementing common laws such as the "no helmet no travel" policy, curfew to minors and even "no smoking" policy.

Insp. Salvador Apacible, team leader of the augmentation force now based in Mahayag village, described the deployment of additional forces as an effort to strengthen the performance of the local police.

“Our mission is to assist our fellow police officers to maintain peace and order in Albuera. We are here to assist with efforts to re-man, re-equip, but our primary mission is force protection. The more police we have, the less crime there would be,” Apacible added.

People in Albuera have mixed reaction about more armed police patrolling the town streets.

Mahayag village chief Rene Gilbert Estacio said he finds it reassuring. “It’s a good thing. It makes us feel more secured especially at night. I think it needs to happen now whether we like or not.”

But for a teacher who requested for anonymity, they feel uneasy with the presence of more policemen. “To be honest, I feel more nervous than secured.”

“On one hand, I feel safer knowing that there is that something to mitigate the risk. However, we had some bad experiences with police brutality. It’s important that the police we do have now are the right officers who will really protect us,” the teacher added. (PNA)
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