By Aaron Recuenco

High-profile drug personality Kerwin Espinosa has backtracked his testimony linking the incumbent Albuera police chief in illegal drugs trade.

Philippine National Police director general Ronald dela Rosa confirmed that Kerwin cleared Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido during their discussion on Saturday night.

“In fairness to him, Kerwin is gradually withdrawing what he said against him. Kerwin said the other night that in reality, Espenido is not corrupt,” said dela Rosa.

In his statement during the Senate hearing, Espinosa tagged Espenido as among the policemen who received drug money from him.

Dela Rosa could not help but to become emotional during the hearing, saying he was at a lost on who to trust among his men. He said he placed Espenido as Albuera police chief thinking he is good and incorruptible officer.

Espenido, for his part, said he would not insist in convincing Dela Rosa that he is a good officer but declared that he is clean.

Sharing Bible verses

During their meeting, Dela Rosa said Kerwin told him that Espenido is really clean.

“He said that whenever he would text, Espenido’s reply would always be a Bible verse. Ayaw kumagat sa drug money,” said dela Rosa.

Espenido was placed as Albuera police chief after the Espinosas emerged as the main supplier of illegal drugs in Leyte.

Kerwin’s father, mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed inside Leyte Sub-provincial Jail last November 5.

Unlike all the cops mentioned by Kerwin to be receiving drug money, Dela Rosa said he did not take action on Espenido, especially that Kerwin himself stated at the end of the hearing that the Albuera police chief is not corrupt.

“I still have no action on him because the investigation is on-going, especially now that Kerwin is backtracking is statement and insisting that he (Espenido) is really clean,” said dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa disclosed that Kerwin is still with the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group at Camp Crame as he is still busy with his affidavit.