Kerwin Espinosa says Bato pressured him to pin De Lima, Peter Lim to illegal drug trade

Alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa on Friday accused former Philippine National Police chief and now Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa of pressuring him to link former Senator Leila de Lima and businessman Peter Lim to the illegal drug trade.

Espinosa made the accusation during the continuation of the investigation of the House Quad Committee (QuadComm) into the deaths related to the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

Espinosa said it happened in November 2016 upon his return to the Philippines from Abu Dhabi where he was arrested. At that time, he was facing drug-related charges in the country. 

“November 17, sinundo ako ng mga kapulisan dito sa atin. Ang sumundo sa akin, si General Bato, inakbayan niya ako papunta sa sasakyan na Land Cruiser na puti, na bullet-proof. 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,” Espinosa narrated to the committee.

(On November 17, when I was fetched by police officials, General Bato put his arm around me on the way to the bullet-proof vehicle. When we boarded the vehicle, I was sandwiched by two other police officials and General Bato told me that I should admit I was involved in the illegal drug trade and that I should pinpoint Peter Lim and Leila de Lima so they will be indicted for drug charges.)

He said he was told that if he would not follow the plan, what happened to his father, the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was killed while in prison, could also happen to him or a member of his family.

“So nanginig ako sa panahon na ‘yon, hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin,” Espinosa said. 

(I was terrified that time, I did not know what to do.) 

Espinosa also said Dela Rosa even made him talk to Ronnie Dayan, De Lima's then-bodyguard, so that they will corroborate each other's testimony in a Senate investigation on the illegal drug trade. He told the Senate investigation back then that he handed over as much as P8 million of drug money to De Lima.

“Pinlantsa namin ‘yung dapat naming sabihin sa Senado para magtugma ang mga lugar, petsa, at kung ano pa. At pagkatapos nun, kinausap ako ni Sir Bato. ‘Yun na ang ilagay mo sa affidavit na kukunin ng mga PAO (Public Attorney’s Office) lawyer. So, after two days, nandoon na yung mga PAO lawyer. Kinunan na ako ng salaysay. At bago umalis si Sir Bato, sinabihan ako, ayusin mo nga kung ayaw mong may mangyari sa'yo,” Espinosa said.

(We ironed out the differences in our testimonies, so the places and dates would match. Then Sir Bato told me those should be reflected in an affidavit. After two days, PAO lawyers were there, and I was told again I should shape up if  I want to be safe.)

Espinosa then apologized to De Lima for giving in to Dela Rosa’s threats.

GMA News Online has reached out to Dela Rosa for comment and will publish it as soon as it becomes available.

The elder Espinosa was killed by policemen during a raid in his jail cell at the Baybay Sub-Provincial Jail in Leyte on November 5, 2016 after he was tagged by then-President Rodrigo Duterte as being involved in the illegal drug trade.

De Lima was eventually arrested and detained for three counts of drug-related charges. She spent seven years in detention before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court cleared her of all of the drug charges.  

A Makati court, meanwhile, ordered Lim's arrest in August 2018 after it found probable cause to put him, Kerwin Espinosa, and several others on trial for a case for conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading. Authorities, however, have yet to locate Lim, who is believed to have left the country already.

Kerwin Espinosa has been cleared of the drug charges filed against him and is now running for mayor of Albuera, Leyte in the 2025 elections. —KBK, GMA Integrated News