MANILA, Philippines — Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido on Sunday accepted the cancellation of his reassignment to the loilo City Police Office little more than a week since President Rodrigo Duterte made the announcement.
Espenido said he will be patient regarding his reassignment.
“Law-abiding police officer tayo… kung ano ang mga order wala tayong magawa,” Espenido said in a televised phone patch interview with ANC.
Espenido also said that he has unfinished business in Ozamiz City, where was police chief.
“Sang-ayon ako sa ganoong pangyayari na tapusin muna yung trabaho na naumpisahan natin,” Espenido said.
“Kasi walang tsansang makabalik tayo kung malipat na tayo sa ibang lugar. Tapusin lang, tapos bahala na kung saan [malipat],” he said.
Asked about his unfinished business in Ozamiz, Espenido said that the alleged direct leader of the “Martilyo Gang” — Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog — has not yet been arrested. Ardot is the brother of of slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog.
Espenido said he also needs to turnover other cases as well as other firearms before he can be assigned to another region.
The chief inspector last Friday mentioned that he will be tracking down Ardot, who remains at large.
“Public knowledge na siya ang pinakamatindi sa mga Parojinog,” Espenido said of Ardot.
It was President Rodrigo Duterte who announced Espenido’s appointment to Iloilo City on August 28. PNP Director General Ronald Dela Rosa also said the chief inspector will be reassigned.
Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, Police Regional Office-6 (Western Visayas) spokesperson, however said Espenido “can only be designated as chief of police of a town or component city and not a chartered city just like in the case of Iloilo City.
Espenido’s current rank is two ranks lower than senior superintendent, the rank required for the supposed new post.
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