ABU DHABI // It may take weeks before Filipino drug accused Rolando "Kerwin" Espinosa Jr, who was arrested in Abu Dhabi, can be returned to the Philippines to face charges, a diplomat said on Tuesday.
Espinosa remains in the custody of Abu Dhabi Police CID while investigations continue. He was one of the first named by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte as a drug lord after he took office in June.
Espinosa is facing charges at home for murder, drug dealing and illegal possession of firearms and explosives. He has been on a Philippine police watchlist since September 23, after he left the country.
Constancio Vingno Jr, the Philippine ambassador to the UAE, said he had submitted a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to meet Espinosa.
“What I understand now is Kerwin is still being investigated by the authorities,” Mr Vingno said. “They will look into his mobile phone records, check those he was in contact with during his stay here and other investigation procedures.”
But the ambassador did not discount the chance of Espinosa being handed over to the Philippine authorities sooner than expected.
“I do not see any reason why the authorities would need keep him here for a long period of time,” Mr Vingno said.
“We need to bear in mind that there are four pending arrest warrants issued against him in the Philippines and that Interpol was involved in Espinosa’s arrest.”
Espinosa was arrested on Sunday by Abu Dhabi Police with the help of Interpol, who issued the red notice on the request of the Philippine national police.
The operation on Sunday morning was carried out by senior police officials from Manila, led by Col Enrique Magalona, the police attache of the Philippines to the Middle East who is based in Riyadh.
Espinosa’s repatriation would largely depend on investigations by UAE authorities to see if he had broken any laws here, Mr Vingno said.
The UAE does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines.
“Having a treaty makes the extradition or surrender of the fugitive swifter,” said Barney Almazar, a legal consultant in Dubai and expert in international human rights law.
“In this case, the option to make a request for extradition will no longer be through diplomatic channels. It will be coursed through the Interpol.”
Unlike an international arrest warrant, a red notice means that the person is wanted by a national jurisdiction.
Interpol helps national police forces to find or identify wanted people for their arrest and extradition.
rruiz@thenational.ae
