“A search warrant in a government prison facility is unnecessary and appears to be a flaccid attempt to make the apparent rubout ‘legal.'” — NUPL

MANILA — Progressive groups maintained that circumstances surrounding the death of alleged druglord Rolando Espinosa reek of “premeditated rubout.”

Edre Olalia, president of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said the police’s story line is “incredibly brazen” and “unbelievable.”

Espinosa, mayor of Albuera, Leyte, was killed early Saturday morning inside the Baybay sub-provincial jail.

According to police accounts, Espinosa and another inmate Raul Yap were shot dead while resisting arrest upon the serving of warrants.

“A search warrant in a government prison facility is unnecessary and appears to be a flaccid attempt to make the apparent rubout ‘legal,'” Olalia said.

In a statement, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to condemn the killing and act swiftly to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Renato Reyes Jr., Bayan secretary general, said operatives and leadership of the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8 should be relieved pending investigation.

The killing of Espinosa sets back the Duterte government’s ‘war on drugs’ which up to now appears to be eliminating only the small fry,” Reyes said.

Reyes said government should probe alleged attempts to silence Espinosa after the Mayor revealed the names of 225 individuals including politicians and police officials involved in the drug trade.

Espinosa surrendered to PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa last August.

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