Gwyneth Perseveranda 

Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, an alleged drug lord, claimed former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa threatened to link then-Senator Leila De Lima to illegal drug trade , during the House Quad Committee hearing on October 11.

Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN News/Rappler.

In November 2016, during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Espinosa implicated De Lima and fugitive alleged drug lord Peter Lim in drug trafficking activities at the New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City. 

Espinosa linked them to the operations claiming that De Lima was involved in orchestrating them.

As the interpellation of Congresswoman Gerville Luistro transpired, Espinosa recounted that after he was nabbed in Abu Dhabi, he was escorted by the cops upon his return to the Philippines.

"Ang sumundo sa akin, si General Bato, inakbayan niya ako papunta sa sasakyan na Land Cruiser na puti, na bullet-proof,” he told the joint panel.

“Noong sumakay na kaming lahat, si General Bato nasa front seat, ako ay nasa likod, pinagitnaan ako ng dalawang mga pulis, at sinabihan niya ako na, 'Aminin mo na sangkot ka sa kalakaran sa droga dito sa Pilipinas,' at idawit ko si Peter Lim at si Leila de Lima para madiin na sila," he added.

Espinosa later on revealed that Dela Rosa warned that if he did not go along with the plan, his fate would be similar to his slain father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

According to Espinosa, his late father warned him against returning to the Philippines, fearing that either of them could be killed if he went back.

Rolando Espinosa was killed on November 25, 2016, after he fired rounds at officers during a search for illegal firearms.

Espinosa also stated that dela Rosa confirmed that the order was approved by the higher-ups, and this meant that former President Rodrigo Duterte has knowledge of the plan.

Meanwhile, in an interview on October 11, Senator Bato Dela Rosa refuted the allegations, stating that Kerwin volunteered to relay the information on De Lima and other related details in 2016.

“Sabihan mo siya, ‘pag magkita ko siya, suntukin ko siya sa mukha,” Dela Rosa told reporters.

“Ngayon makapagsalita siya, kala mo sino siyang malinis. Bakit siya maggagawa-gawa ng istorya?” he added.