Philippine National Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido. AP FILE PHOTO
It was President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered the cancellation of the order transferring the controversial Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City, Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa said on Monday.
搁贰础顿:听Palace: PNP stopped Espenido transfer
鈥淪i Presidente mismo ang nagbigay ng instruction na wag ituloy dahil nga ma demoralize ang mga tao sa Ozamiz,鈥� he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
鈥淜ung tanggalin si Espenido doon baka mag people power sila kaya nagbago ang isip ni Presidente sabi nya pagbigyan muna ang mga taga Ozamiz, huwag muna alisin,鈥� he added.
(It was President Duterte who gave instruction not to proceed with it [Espenido鈥檚 transfer to Iloilo City] because it might demoralize the people of Ozamis. If Espenido is pulled out from Ozamis, residents there might hold a people power so the President said let鈥檚 give in to the wishes of Ozamis residents.)
Dela Rosa also clarified that the death of Iloilo鈥檚 most wanted drug suspect Richard Prevendido has nothing to do with the cancellation of the order.
At the National Heroes鈥� Day celebration last week, Duterte announced that Ozamiz City police chief Espenido will be reassigned to Iloilo City.
Espenido鈥檚 previous assignments as police chief of Albuera in Leyte and Ozamiz led to the death of two mayors from the drug raids he led. ASU