Witness recants allegations vs. Espinosa, De Lima

The supposed bodyguard and driver of self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa has recanted all his allegations against him and other personalities, including detained Senator Leila De Lima.

In a four-page counter-affidavit, Marcelo Adorco said he was forced to sign his affidavit because of fear for his life and safety while at the Albuera Police Station in 2016.

“Wala pong katotohanan ang lahat ng aking alegasyon sa nasabi kong affidavit kung saan umamin ako na ako ay sangkot sa kalakaran ng illegal na droga at isinangkot ko si Kerwin Espinosa at iba pang tao,” he said.

(There is no truth to the allegations stated in my affidavit where I admitted that I am involved in the illegal drug trade and dragged Kerwin Espinosa and others into the situation.)

According to Adorco, the affidavit was made by a police officer at the Albuera Police Station under the orders of Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido. He said the affidavit was made after he and his companions were arrested in a buy-bust operation in July 2016.

“Sinabi sa akin ni Sir Espenido na nanganganib ang aking buhay at ang tanging paraan na makaiwas ako sa kapahamakan ay ang pagtestigo laban kay Kerwin at iba pa dahil ipapasok daw ako ni Sir Espenido sa Witness Protection Program,” he said.

(Sir Espenido told me that my life is in danger and the only way to avoid this is by testifying against Kerwin and others. Sir Espenido said he will include me in the Witness Protection Program.)

GMA News Online has reached out to Espenido for his comment, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

From Facebook

In a separate counter-affidavit filed in 2020, Adorco also denied that he was the personal bodyguard and driver of Espinosa, saying he had worked under former Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa, Kerwin's father.

“Hindi ko po kilala sina Lovely Impal, Peter Co, Peter Lim, at Secretary Leila de Lima. Hindi ko pa sila nakita at nakausap kahit minsan,” he said.

(I do not know Lovely Impal, Peter Co, Peter Lim, and Secretary Leila De Lima. I never saw them or talked to them.)

“‘Yung picture po ni Kerwin Espinosa at ni Hazel Mago kasama si Secretary Leila de Lima ay nakuha po ‘yon galing sa Facebook at ibinigay lamang sa akin ng isang pulis noong ginawa ang aking affidavit,” he added.

(The picture of Kerwin Espinosa and Hazel Mago with Secretary Leila de Lima was lifted from Facebook and was given to me by a police officer.)

Not a witness

In a separate statement, Filibon Tacardon, De Lima’s legal counsel, said Adorco is not a witness in her case.

“Pero sa tingin namin, sumasalamin ito sa matagal na naming sinasabi na ang mga kaso laban kay Senator De Lima ay pawang gawa-gawa lamang ng mga taong tinakot at ginipit para gumawa ng kasinungalingan at palabasin na si Senator De Lima ay sangkot sa bentahan ng ilegal na droga,” he said.

(But we believe that this mirrors what we have been saying that the case against Senator De Lima is fabricated by individuals who were under threat.)

“Lumalabas na ang totoo kaya patuloy ang panawagan namin sa DOJ na muling suriin ang mga kasong isinampa nila laban kay Senator De Lima at tuluyan nang ibasura ito at palayain ang mahal nating Senadora,” he added.

(The truth is coming out so we are calling on the DOJ to again investigate the case against Senator De Lima and finally dismiss it and free the beloved Senator.)

Espinosa and former Bureau of Corrections official Rafael Ragos have earlier retracted their drug allegations against De Lima. 

De Lima hopeful

In a statement, De Lima said she is hopeful that more people would come out and speak the truth to help prove her innocence from all the "trumped-up" drug charges filed against her.

"As Duterte, the mastermind behind my unjust detention, is about to step down from power, we've seen the pattern of personalities finally speaking the truth and finding it in their conscience to retract their allegations implicating me in the illegal drug trade," she said.

A vocal critic of the Duterte administration, particularly his bloody war on illegal drugs, De Lima has consistently and firmly asserted her innocence in the cases filed against her.

One of the three trumped-up drug charges against De Lima has already been dismissed, which she called a "moral victory."

Two other cases are still pending.  —KBK, GMA News