The presumed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa claimed that former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief and current Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa threatened to harm him and his relatives if he failed to link former Senator Leila de Lima and Peter Lim in the drug trade case of the previous administration.
The eighth Quad Committee hearing spotlighted the issue of extrajudicial killings (EJKS), specifically the killing of the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa. On Friday, October 11, Kerwin Espinosa appeared before the Joint Committee to testify before the panel.
Where it Stemmed from
Espinosa recalled that around the end of the year, he was arrested in Abu Dhabi and was brought to its Interpol, as he had problems waiting for him in the Philippines. When he returned home, he met Dela Rosa and was ordered to enter the bulletproof car.
Inside that vehicle, Espinosa said that he was sandwiched in-between two policemen. It was there when he was ordered to confess about his involvement in the Philippine drug trade. He added how officials also mentioned that he entangle former Senator de Lima and Peter Lim in his testimony.
The order came as a threat to spare him and his family’s life, as long as he followed their orders.
“Kapag hindi raw ako sumunod sa plano, pwedeng mangyari sa akin ang nangyari sa ama ko o isa sa mga pamilya ko, ang mamatay din. So nanginig ako sa panahon na ‘yon. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang aking gagawin," Espinosa recalled.
The Press Con at Crame
When he arrived at Camp Crame, Espinosa narrated how he was again, ordered to follow procedures. A press conference was held at the police camp moments after his arrival. According to Espinosa, he was instructed to ask for a public apology for his involvement in drug trafficking.
He was also told to ask for former President Rodrigo Duterte’s forgiveness. Shortly after, Espinosa urged the public to await for further details as he will be naming those linked to the ongoing illegal drug trade in the country.
Drafting the Testimony
Espinosa was asked to draft a testimony, indicating the names of the people involved. Before his next public appearance, Espinosa was given names that he should say, including the exact dates of when drug money was exchanged.
Due to this, his written testimony was revised by authorities, as it had inconsistencies. He then claimed that authorities wanted to pin down de Lima. Thus, instructing him to confess that the latter protected drug traffickers at New Bilibid prison, while Peter Lim was named as a drug lord and a known supplier of shabu.
Espinosa to de Lima
A few years after his testimony before the Senate, Espinosa asked for de Lima’s forgiveness for making up statements and implicating her alleged involvement with the drug trade.
“Ma’am kung nagsubaybay ka sa hearing ngayon sa Quad Comm, patawarin niyo ako na nadala o nauto sa panahon na ‘yon na idamay ka na walang katotohanan naman,”
He repeated his apology and said he would face whatever action the former Senator would take.
Espinosa’s statement against de Lima was used as the basis for filing the drug charges against the latter in 2022. However, Espinosa overturned his past statements during the hearing on Friday, stating that what he said were false. It was also a result of coercion, intimidation, and threats to his life and family members.
In June 2024, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court dismissed de Lima’s final drug charges.
In 2023, Espinosa was acquitted of his drug charges, including charges of the illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
