Where to? Bato to reassign ‘most requested’ Espenido

MANILA, Philippines – After two alleged narco-politicians died in his area of responsibility, Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido, Ozamiz City police director, is set to be reassigned again, his boss revealed on Monday.

PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, however, said that the “most requested” cop’s next assignment has yet to be determined.

“Mag-determine muna tayo kung sino next target, doon natin ilipat,” dela Rosa said in a press briefing at Camp Crame this morning. “Antay (muna) tayo, validate muna natin kung saan s’ya pwedeng ilipat.”

READ: Espenido to receive special award for anti-illegal drugs campaign

While waiting for his next assignment, dela Rosa said that Espenido should focus on his current deployment in Ozamiz City. Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., an alleged "narco-politician", was killed in an operation in the city last week.

“Marami nagre-request na doon siya i-assign but hindi tayo basta-basta, tapusin muna (niya) doon sa Ozamiz. Yeah, marami nagre-request sa kanya,” dela Rosa continued.

Espenido was stationed at Albuera, Leyte last year but was transferred to Ozamiz City a month after the death of alleged narco-politician Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. in November.

Despite earning a reputation for eliminating alleged narco-polictians, he is set to receive a special award this Wednesday for his performance in the government's campaign against illegal drugs.

“Significantly nag-drop ‘yung drug activities sa Ozamiz dahil sa kaniyang pamumuno sa Ozamiz City police station,” dela Rosa said in the same press briefing referring to Espenido.

“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. Buhay pa si mayor noon, hindi pa namatay,” the PNP chief clarified.