Espenido to receive special award for anti-illegal drugs campaign

MANILA, Philippines – A cop with a reputation for eliminating alleged "narco-polictians" is set to receive award from the Philippine National Police for his performance in the government's war on drugs.

Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz City police director, is among the police officers to be recognized this Wednesday at the national headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said in a press briefing on Monday morning that Espenido will receive a special award for the anti-illegal drugs campaign

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, clarified that Espenido had been on the list of performing cops even before the bloody raid that killed Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. and 16 others last month.

“I would like to correct you na baka dahil doon sa pagpatay kay Mayor (Reynaldo) Parojinog kaya siya nabigyan ng award. Hindi pa nangyari ‘yung Ozamiz incident kasama na si Espenido sa mga awardees for his accomplishments sa anti-drug operations sa Albuera at sa Ozamiz,” the nation’s top cop explained.

“Significantly nag-drop ‘yung drug activities sa Ozamiz dahil sa kanyang pamumuno sa Ozamiz City police station. Buhay pa si mayor noon, hindi pa namatay,” he added.

Espenido was also the head of Albuera police station when Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was killed by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group personnel inside his cell at the Baybay sub-provincial jail last November. Police claim he resisted the service of a search warrant on his cell and forced officers to shoot it out with him.

Critics have noted similarities in the Albuera and Ozamiz raids, particularly that both CIDG raiding teams served search warrants before dawn. Dela Rosa has said police can serve warrants at any time of day.

The late mayors Parojinog and Espinosa were among the alleged narco-politicians in a list that Duterte announced on live television last year.