Drug suspect to be repatriated to Philippines after his mayor father is shot dead

Rolando 'Kerwin' Espinosa Jr was arrested in Abu Dhabi last month after Interpol sent a request to police over four arrest warrants in his homeland.

ABU DHABI // Wanted Filipino drug suspect Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr, who was arrested in the capital last month, is expected to be repatriated to the Philippines this week, a diplomat said on Sunday.

“We’ve been informed that his case has been referred back by the Ministry of Justice to the Abu Dhabi Attorney General, and it’s now with Interpol,” said Constancio Vingno Jr, the Philippine ambassador to the UAE.

“His papers are now being processed for his return. A number of details, including who will be escorting him back to the Philippines, still needs to be worked out. Barring any unexpected circumstances, he will be turned over to the Philippine authorities sometime soon.”

Espinosa was arrested on October 16 by Abu Dhabi Police, with the help of Interpol, who issued the red notice at the request of the Philippine national police.

There are four pending arrest warrants issued against him in Leyte, Philippines.

The diplomat's comments follow the death of the suspect's father, Rolando Espinosa, 54, the mayor of Albuera, Leyte, on Saturday morning.

The elder Espinosa, linked by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade, was arrested on October 5 for possession of dangerous drugs and firearms. He and inmate Raul Yap were shot dead inside his jail cell.

“My staff was able to meet Kerwin in jail today but they were not able to talk to him,” Mr Vingno said. “Our sources said he’s already aware of his father’s death.”

The ambassador had earlier said that Espinosa's repatriation would largely depend on investigations by UAE authorities to see if he had broken any laws here.

The UAE does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines.