Kerwin Espinosa pleads not guilty in murder raps

MANILA, Philippines — Self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa yesterday pleaded not guilty to the murder of a barangay chairman in Albuera, Leyte in 2006.

Espinosa, who is under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation, was accused of killing Vicente Jabon outside the Doña Maria barangay hall on May 31, 2006.

Espinosa, son of slain mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., was tagged in the murder of Jabon along with Max Miro and Stephen Bobares.

Espinosa pleaded not guilty before Judge Alfredo Ampuan of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 40.

The court targets to finish the proceedings by April next year.

Espinosa also pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy to commit drug trafficking charges he is facing before the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Yesterday’s hearing was the third for Espinosa this week.

Earlier, he pleaded not guilty to drug trade conspiracy charges before the Makati RTC. 

The murder charge is among the four criminal cases filed against Espinosa.