Loot unfazed over Espinosa’s arrest

CEBU, Philippines - Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot is not concerned over the possibility that suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa may implicate him anew in the drug trade after the latter's arrest in Abu Dhabi.

 In an interview yesterday with the Cebu media, Loot said Espinosa's arrest will give justice to all his victims and those who fall prey to his illegal schemes.

 He also said he wouldn't be surprised at all if Espinosa will link other personalities in illegal drug trade.

 "Ang tanan na-involve sa pagdakop niya giapil niya. That's the only way to lengthen his life. I will not be surprised even if naa pa siya laing mga tawo iapil," he said.

 "Nagsige raman siya pataka og pangan. Kanus-a ba kaha siya nagsulti og tinuod. Anyway, it is his life and he knew better," he said.

 Espinosa, Loot said, has been a high-value target since 2010 because of his alleged involvement in illegal activities not only in Cebu but also in Region 8.

 He said he first heard Espinosa's name in 2010 when he was deputy director for operations (DRDO) at PRO-7 from January 2010 to July 2010.

 The second time was in 2011 when he became the deputy director for administration in PRO-8 until December 26, 2012. Prior to that, he served also as PRO-8 or Eastern Visayas DRDO until October 2010.

 "So many police officer were running after him ever since. Daghan intresado mag-neutralize niya. He has been the subject of raid suits. I came to know nga mangtas and violent siya. He resorted to killings of people he doesn't like. His arrest will give justice to the people who he victimized," he said.

 President Duterte got the support of Loot in his decision to no longer reveal the names of officials in his new narcotics list, saying it can prod drug groups to purge their ranks.

 "Actually mao na akong gihangyo nga we will be the last nga i-name. Just like any other person duna'y pamilya. Hatagan importansya ang honor, dignidad and family," he said. 

 In a separate development, Loot has vetoed the P200,000 budget for the anti-drug operations this year for Daanbantayan.

Loot initially requested a P3 million budget for the operation, but the town council slashed P2.8 million from the budget and only approved P200,000.

This was, however, vetoed by Loot.

 "I vetoed it. Dili siguro gusto mawala kriminalidad sa Daanbantayan," he said, adding that the budget is still being reviewed.

 The P3 million, Loot explained, has been budgeted for the police's incentives and for the intensified all-out-war against drugs in the town.

 Loot added that the allocation supposedly will address the lack of anti-drug and anti-criminality programs in Daanbantayan.

 He cited the finding of Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO), identifying the town as "no anti-drug campaign program" for the last three years.

 "Wa sila'y budget for anti-drug operations and no concrete plans for anti-drug campaign. Ang MADAC (Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council) nagmika way plano," he said.

 He said the giving of incentives to policemen for the successful anti-illegal drug operations has been halted pending the resolution of the vetoed budget.  (FREEMAN)