BACOLOD CITY – Controversial police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido broke his silence over reports that he is included in the “PRRD list,” as one of those involved in illegal drugs.
Quoting a Bible verse from Romans 8:31, “If God is for us who can be against us,” Espenido said he now doubts if the report is really true.
“That is why I waited for (PNP chief Archie Gamboa) to issue a statement first before I come out with my own,” Espenido told DNX in a text message.
The report by a Manila-based online news platform quoted two police generals who requested anonymity as saying that Espenido was in the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte or PRRD list.
The list, a police officer told DNX, is based on dossiers submitted by the president’s own intelligence network.
“It is outside the traditional intelligence community. It does not pass through NICA, ISAFP, PNP ISG, it is gathered by the President’s men,” the source said.
Espenido was relieved recently from his position as concurrent deputy city director for operations and Drug Enforcement Unit head after only four months.
Before being deployed here on direct orders from the President, Espenido headed the operations that took down a drug syndicate believed to be run by the prominent Parojinog family in Ozamiz City.
He was also police chief in Albuera town, Leyte when controversial mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed inside a detention cell.
