A Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) has acquitted self-confessed drug lord Rolan 'Kerwin' Espinosa in his illegal drug trafficking charge due to lack of evidence.

In the 21-page decision, Makati RTC Branch 65 said that the prosecutors "failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt."

“In the instant case, as the prosecution failed to adduce evidence sufficient to overcome the burden of proving the guilt of both accused, then the Demurrer to Evidence ought to be granted," it said.

Espinosa was charged in 2018 with violation of Section 26 (b) in relation to Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as amended by R.A 10640.

"Wherefore, in view of the foregoing, the Demurrer to Evidence filed by both accused are hereby GRANTED. Accordingly, Rolan E. Espinosa and Marcelo L. Adorco are hereby acquitted of the offense charged on reasonable doubt," it said.

The court also ordered the immediate release of Espinosa and Adorco from the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) detention center “unless they are confined for any other lawful case."

In April last year, Espinosa recanted his previous allegations against former Senator Leila de Lima, saying that he was pressured, coerced, and intimidated to implicate her in the drug trade.