Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa firmly denied presumed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa's statement made before the House quad-committee panel on Friday and threatened to punch Espinosa if they met in person.
"Magpakita siya, suntukin ko siya sa mukha. Sobrang sinungaling siya," Dela Rosa said during a phone interview with media after Espinosa mentioned his claims during the House quad-comm hearing.
Espinosa narrated that upon his arrival in the Philippines after being caught overseas, then Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief now Senator Dela Rosa ordered him to implicate former Senator Leila de Lima and Peter Lim in the drug trade in the country.
He further stated that he was scared and felt compelled to comply because he was told that if he did not follow the plan, he could face the same fate as his father or that one of his family members might also die.
Espinosa's father, Rolando Espinosa, the Mayor of Albuera, Leyte, was killed in his detention cell after allegedly firing back at operatives.
"Kung makapagsalita siya kala mo sino siyang malinis. Bakit siya mag gawa-gawa ng storya?" said Dela Rosa.
He further stated that Espinosa was cooperative and friendly while in their custody following his arrest.
Dela Rosa reiterated that Espinosa is not a reliable witness because he is a drug lord, and although his case has been dismissed, he is still considered a drug lord.
He mentioned that even while incarcerated at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Espinosa allegedly continued to operate the drug trade in Albuera, according to reports from operatives in that area.
