Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Wednesday, Dec. 29, lamented the dismissal of the drugs charges against alleged drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” E. Espinosa and his three co-accused, including convicted drug trader Peter Co.
“I’m saddened by this development, if true (i have not seen an official copy of the court order),” Guevarra said.
He reacted on the dismissal of the charges filed against Espinosa, Wu Tuan Huan alias Peter Co, Lovely A. Impal, and Marcelo L. Adorco by Makati City RTC Judge Gina M. Bibat Palamos on motions for demurrer to evidence filed by the accused.
Espinosa and his group were charged with violations of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, for allegedly trading 20 kilos of shabu in Makati City in 2013.
Guevarra said he has directed the prosecutor general of the Department of Justice “to exhaust all legal remedies, foremost of which is to file a motion for reconsideration with the trial court.”
He said Espinosa is still facing several other charges in court. “Kerwin Espinosa is not off the hook yet,’ he said.
“I understand that he is still facing an unfinished case before RTC-Manila and another drugs case in Albuera, Leyte,” he cited.
Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim, who remains at large, is also Espinosa’s co-accused in the drug charges filed in Manila.
Guevarra said: “Sooner or later the long arm of the law will catch up with these people and they will answer for their crimes.”