Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido, who was recalled to the Philippine National Police headquarters for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs, is not yet off the hook, Malacañang said on Monday. “Sabi na nga ni Secretary Año eh, mag-i-imbestiga pa rin sila (Secretary Año said they would conduct an investigation),” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said, referring to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año. Panelo had said in a statement that President Rodrigo Duterte believed that Espenido was “clean.”The Palace official added that Duterte would change his position if he would be shown evidence of Espenido’s involvement in illegal drugs. Espenido led the anti-illegal drug operation that killed Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others in 2017. But Año clarified that he was not clearing the name of Espenido.

Source: Manila Times February 17, 2020 19:52 UTC