DOJ: Espinosa retraction won't affect drug charges vs De Lima

Undated photo shows Kerwin Espinosa.

The STAR / Edd Gumban

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice said Friday the retraction of confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa “bears no weight” because his previous affidavits were not and will not be used by the prosecution as evidence.

The DOJ issued the statement after Espinosa retracted his accusations against Sen. Leila De Lima and said in a counter-affidavit that he was “only coerced, pressured, intimidated, and seriously threatened by the police” to make his previous statements.

“Mr. Rolan ‘Kerwin’ Espinosa’s retraction with regard to his statements about his alleged transactions with Senator De Lima will not, in any way, affect the pending drug cases which the latter is facing before two branches of the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City,” the department said.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/29/2177661/doj-espinosa-retraction-wont-affect-drug-charges-vs-de-lima