Espenido claims evidence arose during his time as CDEU head

According to former Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) deputy director, Police Lt. Colonel Jovie Espenido, who also led the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), arrested drug offenders presented evidence linking several barangay officials and law enforcement personnel to illegal drugs. While the law enforcement official refused to name the individuals in question, he said the police personnel involved include active duty police officers and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents.
Meanwhile, the former CDEU chief also responded to public statements claiming he was only arresting “small-time drug suspects,” pointing out, arresting “small fish” first will later lead to the arrest of the “big fish.” He also called himself “pro-life,” explaining, they only kill drug suspects if they pose a threat to the safety of police officers and innocent civilians.
Espenido added, as much as possible, they want drug suspects captured alive.
“The information they have is extremely useful in arresting and convicting drug lords or officials involved in illegal drug activities,” he added.
According to Police Regional Office-6 data released last month, over 75 percent of the total number of high-value drug targets in the region are in Bacolod City and across Negros Occidental. The agency noted, out of the current 105 targets, 50 are said to be located within Negros Occidental, along with 32 in Bacolod City.
Espenido  previously made headlines following high-profile deaths in jurisdictions he led, including Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog in 2017 and Rolando Espinosa, mayor of Albuera, Leyte, in 2016.
Both were allegedly involved with illegal drug activity./DGB, WDJ