Kerwin Espinosa links Duterte to father's killing in Leyte jail

Kerwin Espinosa said he believed that former President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the killing of his father Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Albuera inside a Leyte jail in 2016.

Both Espinosas have been linked to illegal drugs during the Duterte administration but the cases filed against Kerwin in Makati and Leyte have been dismissed recently.

“Tayong mga Pilipino, nakita natin sa TV na ang dating Presidente nagsasabi na patayin niya lahat ng nasa narcolist," Kerwin told the House Quad Committee investigating the killings during the past administration's war on drugs.  

"So sa pagkaintindi ko, siya talaga ang nag-utos na patayin ang papa ko,” he added.

(We Filipinos have seen former President Duterte say on TV that he would kill all those on the narco list. So from my understanding, he was the one who ordered my father killed.) 

GMA News Online has sought comment from Duterte's camp and will publish his side as soon as it is available.

The elder Albuera 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 Duterte as being involved in the illegal drug trade.

Manila lawmaker Benny Abante then asked Espinosa, “So naniniwala ka na ang dating pangulo ang nag-utos ay papatayin ang iyong tatay?”

(You believe that the former president ordered your father killed?)

 “Opo. Mr. Chair," Kerwin said.

(Yes, Mr. Chair.)

Espinosa, however, is still facing cases for illegal possession of dangerous drugs, illegal possession of dangerous firearms and two counts of violation of Anti-Money Laundering law.

He has filed a certificate of candidacy to run for mayor in Albuera. —NB, GMA Integrated News