ABU DHABI // Drug suspect Rolando "Kerwin" Espinosa Jr fears for his life when he returns home to face the charges against him, Philippine ambassador to the UAE Constancio Vingno Jr says.
“He’s physically OK but, of course, he looked distraught since he already knew about his father’s death,” Mr Vingno said about his hour-long meeting with Espinosa at Al Wathba jail on Thursday .
The drug suspect's father Rolando Espinosa Sr, was shot dead inside his cell in a jail in Leyte, Philippines, on November 5.
The elder Espinosa was linked by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade. He was arrested on October 5 for possession of drugs and firearms.
“A team from the Philippine National Police will be arriving here tomorrow or day after to fetch him,” Mr Vingno said.
“He requested that his wife and three children fly, who are stil here in Abu Dhabi, be allowed to fly with him.”
Espinosa is willing to testify and asked that he be placed under the Philippine government’s witness protection programme, Mr Vingno said.
He was arrested in Abu Dhabi on October 16 after Interpol sent a request to police in connection with four arrest warrants in his homeland.
“I’m not privy to the ongoing discussions between Interpol UAE and Interpol Manila about Kerwin’s return to the Philippines,” Mr Vingno said.
“But in accordance with protocol on how to repatriate a high-profile fugitive, he will be turned over to the Philippine authorities inside the aircraft itself. There’s some confidentiality on how they’re going to bring him and what flight they’re going to take. Definitely, he won’t be turned over the Philippine embassy here in Abu Dhabi.”
At the weekend, Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte assured the safe repatriation of Espinosa.
“It’s not easy to extract the guy,” Mr Duterte was quoted by TV network GMA News as saying. “There are rules to be followed but he will be back to face the charges.”
rruiz@thenational.ae
