Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa revealed that former PNP Chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa pressured him in 2016 to accuse former Senator Leila De Lima and businessman Peter Lim of involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Espinosa made the disclosure during his testimony before the House Quad Committee, recounting how his family also fell victim to extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration.
He further claimed that Dela Rosa threatened him, saying he would suffer the same fate as his father, or worse, a member of his family, if he refused to comply.
Espinosa also mentioned that Leyte Representative and actor Richard Gomez was targeted for implication in drugs but he resisted the pressure.
Kerwin’s father, former Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was also involved in the drug trade, was killed in 2016.
Espinosa said that upon his return to the Philippines after being arrested in Abu Dhabi, Dela Rosa greeted him, led him to a vehicle, and inside, told him to admit his involvement in the drug trade and implicate De Lima and Lim.
Former Senator De Lima was imprisoned for seven years but was eventually acquitted of all charges.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte had previously named Peter Lim as one of the biggest drug dealers in the country.
Espinosa stated that his family is still waiting for justice for his father, a victim of extrajudicial killing (EJK).