A Manila Court acquitted self-confessed drug lord Rolan 'Kerwin' Espinosa of his illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges.
The charges were related to the six firearms discovered on his property at Sitio Tinago, Brgy. Binolho, Albuera, Leyte in 2016.
In the four-page order, Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16 presiding judge Janice Yulo-Antero said Espinosa was acquitted as the prosecution "failed to prove that he was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Yulo-Antero said the witness, Marcelo Adorco, retracted his previous sworn testimony that the six firearms recovered were owned by Espinosa.
"He further disclosed that he signed his Sinumpaang Salaysay dated 04 August 2016 because he was coerced, threatened, and intimidated," the presiding judge said.
She added that the witness confessed that the house, where the firearms and ammunition were found, is owned by late former Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, and that Kerwin "has no knowledge about these."
"Wherefore, for the failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt of accused Rolan Espinosa y Eslabon alias "Kerwin Espinosa" beyond a reasonable doubt, here is hereby ACQUITTED of the crimes of violation of Section 1, R.A. 9516 (illegal possession of explosives) and Violation of Section 28, par. b in conjunction with par. e, of R.A. 10591 (Illegal Possessions of Firearms)," Yulo-Antero said.
She directed the Manila City Jail Warden to release Kerwin from detention unless he is facing other cases.
In June, the Makati City RTC Branch 65 acquitted Espinosa and a co-accused named Marcelo Ardecoro in another drug case.
Following this, Baybay, Leyte RTC granted the petition for bail filed by the self-confessed drug lord in one of his illegal drug charges.
