Kerwin Espinosa to reveal 12 ‘big’ officials involved in drug trade —Sandra Cam

Alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, who was arrested in Abu Dhabi last week, will reveal "big shot" officials involved in the country's drug trade, whistleblower Sandra Cam said Tuesday.

Cam, who claimed she tipped authorities about Espinosa's whereabouts, said the alleged drug lord's list involves about 12 officials, including "governors, congressmen and some generals."

"Malalaking tao ang involved dito," she told reporters at a forum in Quezon City. "Malalaki ang masasagasaan ni Kerwin Espinosa."

The whistleblower, a senatorial candidate who supported then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in the May presidential polls, said these officials may have been in office during the previous administration.

"Definitely," she said. "Because this administration is only here for 114 days. So imposible na 'yung mga bagong nakaupo ngayon."

She added: "But there are those politicians who are sitting governors, congressmen, mayors na masasagasaan dito."

Cam refused to name the officials, saying she did not want to preempt the announcement of the Philippine National Police (PNP) when Espinosa is deported.

She said the three-man police team that went to Abu Dhabi to coordinate the arrest, led by Senior Superintendent Albert Ferro, was able to get the names when they interrogated Espinosa.

Cam also said Espinosa is expected to arrive in the Philippines in three weeks.

"Sure na ho 'yon. Wala naman siyang na-violate na laws doon; pino-process lang 'yung documents kasi extradition," she said.

Kerwin is the son of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was also recently arrested by the police for the 11.4 kilograms of illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms found in his home during a raid in August.

LOOK: eVisa of alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa to Abu Dhabi, where he was arrested. {????: Sandra Cam} pic.twitter.com/h86bs8f5xj

— R-A. Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) October 25, 2016

'He was jogging'

PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa announced last week that the younger Espinosa was arrested with the help of Abu Dhabi police, with a tip coming from an overseas Filipino worker. 

Cam said the OFW was her secretary for the trade and cleaning company she runs in Abu Dhabi. She declined to give the name for the female staff member's protection.

Cam said her secretary asked her to call on the night of October 8, then told her that she spotted Espinosa.

Cam said her secretary claimed seeing the alleged drug lord, along with a Filipino woman, while she was buying something at the ground floor of the building where she resides.

It turned out that Espinosa was also staying in the same establishment.

Cam said she asked her secretary to send her a photo of Espinosa. The whistleblower said she recognized him from photos circulating in the news because contrary to claims, "hindi siya nagparetoke."

She said she then contacted a "friend" from the immigration office in Abu Dhabi, who confirmed that Kerwin — Rolan Eslabon Espinosa in his visa — has been there since July 31.

The tip prompted Dela Rosa to send an anti-illegal drugs team. Since the discovery happened during weekend in Abu Dhabi, the coordination took a couple more days, she said.

"Nakuha siya 2 a.m. dito sa atin, 10 p.m. doon, nagja-jogging siya. Pagpasok niya sa building, doon na siya nadakip," Cam said. —ALG, GMA News