Whistleblower Jovie Espenido unleashed a hail of scandals in a shocking turn of events during the third Quad Committee hearing on August 28, 2024.
Shattering the facade of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs,” Espenido turned around what was seen before as a valiant anti-drug campaign into an intricate cover-up and a brutal operation designed to silence dissent through violence and intimidation.
A seasoned police officer embroiled in the arrests of notorious mayors that included Rolando Espinosa of Albuera and Reynaldo Parojinog of Ozamiz, Espenido pulled back the curtain on what appeared to be a sinister web of corruption.
He directly implicated Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, portraying him as a ruthless protector of the Espinosa clan. Bato, the first Chief of the Philippine National Police under Duterte, was painted as not just an enforcer but an architect of the bloody campaign.
Espenido’s testimony revealed that solid cases against the Espinosas for drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms were systematically dismissed under Bato’s explicit orders.
The brutality did not end with the arrest of the Espinosas. Upon his reassignment to target Mayor Parojinog, Espenido reported that police directives to “neutralize” meant nothing less than execution. The harrowing raid that led to Parojinog’s death showcased the dehumanizing lengths authorities would go to in the name of the so-called drug war.
Further deepening the scandal, Espenido bared the shocking “reward and quota” system, incentivizing police to perpetuate violence.
Funds to incentivize these deplorable acts reportedly flowed from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), small-town lottery (STL) operations and intelligence funds, all strategically funneled through the office of Senator Bong Go, a longstanding aide to Duterte. This financial malfeasance paints a picture of collusion between the highest echelons of government and criminal enterprises, revealing the dark underbelly of the drug war at that time.
As the Quad Committee hearings continue to unravel layer after layer of deception, the ties between Senators Dela Rosa and Bong Go and their boss, former President Duterte, come to light.
The duo’s ability to carry out Duterte’s agenda with impunity is under a growing spotlight, exposing a deeper web of misconduct.
Right now, the walls are closing in around Duterte, Dela Rosa and Bong Go and the truth about this bloodstained reign of terror can no longer remain buried or swept under the rug.
