Luna: Suspect entered into government subcontract projects

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The head of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) in the Visayas yesterday said the “peaceful and kidnap-free atmosphere” of Bacolod City attracted wanted kidnapping suspect Victor Espina to hide in the city.

In a radio interview yesterday morning, PNP-AKG Visayas head, Police Senior Superintendent Roldan Luna, said they began monitoring Espina’s presence in the city last month and discovered he had entered into several subcontract projects with a local government.

Luna also confirmed earlier reports that Espina had links to alleged Leyte-based drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, as he was allegedly the latter’s arms supplier.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, meanwhile, stated PNP-AKG coordination was only made after Espina’s arrest, which resulted in the suspect being temporarily detained in Police Station 8 before being transported to Metro Manila to face trial.

Ebreo said the PNP-AKG conducted the operation after one of their local assets informed them of Espina’s whereabouts in the city.

He also assured residents of the city there is no kidnapping group operating in Bacolod City.

Last Tuesday, Espina was arrested at Purok Hollowblocks in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City.

An arrest warrant was out for him in connection to the kidnapping of four Korean nationals in January 2015.

The suspect is also reported to be a relative of retired Police Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, who is also alleged to be linked with the drug lord./DGB, WDJ