Jovie Espenido
{{Short description|Filipino police officer}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Jovie Espenido
| image = PLTC Jovie Espenido.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = PLTCOL Jovie Espenido in 2020
| office =
| president =
| term_start =
| term_end =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| birth_name = Jovie R. Espenido
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1968|10|19}}
| birth_place = San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
| party =
| spouse = Shiela Bandal
| relations =
| children = 3 daughters
| residence =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Policeman
| cabinet =
| committees =
| portfolio =
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
| branch =
| rank =
| nickname = Duterte's Drug War Poster Boy{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1844314/Cebu/Bzzzzz/Bzzzzz-They-suspected-Espenido-but-chose-not-to-tarnish-poster-boy-image|title = BZZZZZ: They suspected Espenido but chose not to tarnish 'poster boy' image| website=SunStar |date = 14 February 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://cpp.ph/statement/the-poster-boy-is-a-narco-cop/|title = The Poster Boy is a Narco Cop}}{{Cite web|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230379/fwd-bato-on-espenido-inclusion-in-narcolist-ngayon-good-boy-ka-bukas-maging-bad-boy-ka|title = 'Ngayon good boy ka, bukas bad boy ka': Bato vouches for Espenido|date = 18 February 2020}}
| module = {{Infobox police officer
| other_names =
| child = yes
| service_label = Service
| service = Philippine National Police
| serviceyears = 1996-2024
| department_label =
| department =
| branch_label = Police offices
| branch =
{{ubl|
- Police Regional Office 7
- Police Regional Office 10
- Police Regional Office 8
- Police Regional Office 6
- Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office
- Bacolod City Police Office
- Leyte Police Provincial Office
- Samar Police Provincial Office
- Negros Oriental Provincial Mobile Force Company
}}
| badge=
| rank = {{nowrap|20px Police Lieutenant Colonel}}
| alma_mater =| unit =
}}
}}
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido{{Cite web|last=Co|first=Adrian Stewart|date=February 18, 2020|title=Controversial Police Lt. Col Espenido not yet off the book|url=https://www.panaynews.net/jovie-espenido-not-yet-off-the-hook/?amp|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-06-30|website=www.panaynews.net}}{{Cite web|last=Ellera|first=Teresa D.|date=2020-03-03|title=Espenido in trouble|url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph//article/1846792/Bacolod/Local-News/Jovie-Espenido-to-face-summary-hearing-for-violating-gag-order|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Sunstar|language=English}} is a controversial{{Cite web|title=Controversial 'drug war' cop Espenido on Duterte's narcolist|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/12/20/controversial-drug-war-cop-espenido-on-dutertes-narcolist|access-date=2020-06-29|website=ABS-CBN News|date=12 February 2020|language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cordova |first=Calvin |date=February 18, 2020 |title=Controversial Espenido surfaces, thanks Duterte for standing by him |url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/02/18/controversial-espenido-surfaces-thanks-duterte-for-standing-by-him/?amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217121404/https://mb.com.ph/2020/02/18/controversial-espenido-surfaces-thanks-duterte-for-standing-by-him/?amp |archive-date=December 17, 2024 |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Gonzales|first=Cathrine|date=2020-02-12|title=Controversial cop Espenido distances self from alleged inclusion in drugs watchlist|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1227892/controversial-cop-espenido-distances-from-alleged-inclusion-in-drugs-watchlist|access-date=2020-06-29|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Diestro|first=Dynah; ABS-CBN|title=Controversial cop Espenido to run for mayor of Ozamiz City|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/03/18/controversial-cop-espenido-to-run-for-mayor-of-ozamiz-city|access-date=2020-07-01|website=ABS-CBN News|date=3 September 2018|language=en}} retired Filipino police officer known as a crusader against illegal drugs.{{Cite web|date=2020-02-14|title=Expedite investigation on Jovie Espenido|url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/287957/expedite-investigation-on-jovie-espenido|access-date=2020-06-29|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}
Early life
Espenido was born on October 19, 1968, in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. He is the seventh of ten siblings. His parents, Josepina and Vicente, gave “Jovie” a name that fused their own.{{Cite web|last=peterhoskin|date=2019-11-14|title=Duterte's poster boy|url=https://members.tortoisemedia.com/2019/11/14/191114-dutertes-poster-boy/content.html|access-date=2020-06-29|website=members.tortoisemedia.com}}
He is a licensed criminologist and has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. He possesses skills in electronics and mechanics.{{Cite web|date=2017-08-31|title=Is Chief Inspector Espenido pro-life?|url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/145487/chief-inspector-espenido-pro-life|access-date=2020-06-29|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}
Career
On September 16, 1996, Espenido entered the Philippine National Police and the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) 7, particularly in Negros Oriental as his first assignment.{{Cite web|last=Talabong|first=Rambo|title=Jovie Espenido sans the uniform|url=http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/180679-jovie-espenido-without-uniform-profile|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Rappler|date=2 September 2017 |language=en}}
In 2005, he was assigned to Ormoc's City Police Office. During his assignment, he caught the city's former mayor, Eric Codilla, patronizing illegal logging operations.{{Cite web|last=Talabong|first=Rambo|title=Jovie Espenido's secret to fighting crime? His faith|url=http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/178179-jovie-espenido-secret-fighting-crime-faith|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Rappler|date=9 August 2017 |language=en}} In 2008, the PNP promoted him to Inspector (Lieutenant).
In 2010, when he was the Chief of Police of Gandara Municipal Police Station, Espenido seized the former mayor and his political goons who illegally kept firearms in Gandara, Samar.{{Cite web|title=PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines|url=http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100820.htm&no=26|access-date=2020-06-29|website=archives.pia.gov.ph}}{{Cite web|last=Lastimosa|first=Leo|title=Una niyang mayor|url=https://www.philstar.com/banat/opinyon/2017/08/02/1724126/una-niyang-mayor|access-date=2020-06-29|website=philstar.com}}{{Cite web|title=Gandara Mayor posts bail for gun ban violation|url=https://samarnews.com/news_clips15/news286.htm|access-date=2020-06-29|website=samarnews.com}} Various most wanted criminals in the town were also nabbed during his term.{{Cite web|title=Police nabs Gandara, Samar's wanted person|url=https://samarnews.com/news_clips15/news272.htm|access-date=2020-06-29|website=samarnews.com}}
On July 13, 2016, a fortnight into Duterte's rule, the PNP assigned him to Albuera, a fishing town 30 minutes from Ormoc.
On October 16, 2019, Espenido was assigned as the Deputy City Director for Operations of the Bacolod Police Office in Western Visayas.{{Cite web|title=Espenido gets new assignment in W. Visayas|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083360|access-date=2020-06-30|website=www.pna.gov.ph|language=en}}
In 2020, he was reassigned back to Eastern Visayas by PNP Chief Police General Archie Gamboa to hold the post of the Deputy Provincial Director for Operations of the Samar Police Provincial Office in Catbalogan.{{Cite web|last=Tupas|first=Emmanuel|title=Espenido reassigned to Eastern Visayas|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/06/17/2021396/espenido-reassigned-eastern-visayas|access-date=2020-07-29|website=philstar.com}}
Awards and decorations
- 45x45px Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
- Meritorious Achievement Medal
- Distinguished Service Medal
- 45x45px Military Civic Action Medal
- 45x45px Military Commendation Medals
- 60pxMedalya ng Kagalingan (PNP Medal of Merit)
- 60px Medalya ng Kasanayan (PNP Efficiency Medal)
- 60px Medalya ng Papuri (PNP Commendation Medal)
- Medalya ng Ugnayang Pampulisya (PNP Police Relations Medal)
- 60px Medalya ng Mabuting Asal (PNP Good Conduct Medal)
- 60px Medalya ng Paglilingkod (PNP Service Medal)
Personal life
Espenido is married to Shiela Bandal. They have three daughters.{{Cite web|title=Adventist Media Ministry Organization - Isabel, Isabel (2020)|url=http://www.findglocal.com/PH/Isabel/102332921230474/Adventist-Media-Ministry-Organization---Isabel|access-date=2020-06-30|website=www.findglocal.com}} He is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and a vegetarian.{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Philippines police chief shows affinity for Rodrigo Duterte's drug war {{!}} DW {{!}} 18.09.2018|url=https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-police-chief-shows-affinity-for-rodrigo-dutertes-drug-war/a-45537351|access-date=2020-06-30|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}
Controversies and criticism
= Bloody raid of ‘Martilyo Gang’ =
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed homicide raps against Espenido for a ‘Martilyo Gang’ raid that killed six people in Ozamiz City.{{Cite web|last=Juan|first=Joel R. San|date=2018-09-21|title=DOJ files homicide raps vs Espenido for 'Martilyo Gang' raid that killed 6 {{!}} Joel R. San Juan|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2018/09/21/doj-files-homicide-raps-vs-espenido-for-martilyo-gang-raid-that-killed-6/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=BusinessMirror|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Interaksyon|date=2017-08-15|title=Espenido sees Parojinogs' hand in murder raps filed vs him by Martilyo Gang suspect's kin|url=https://www.interaksyon.com/breaking-news/2017/08/15/91088/espenido-sees-parojinogs-hand-in-murder-raps-filed-vs-him-by-martilyo-gang-suspects-kin/|access-date=2020-07-01|website=Interaksyon|language=en-US}}
= Inclusion in Duterte’s drug watchlist =
On February 12, 2020, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año announced that Espenido was among the 357 policemen on President Rodrigo Duterte's drug watchlist, also known as narco list.{{Cite web|title=Jovie Espenido is on Duterte's narco list, DILG confirms|url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/2/14/jovie-espenido-duterte-drug-watchlist.html|access-date=2020-06-29|website=cnn|language=en|archive-date=2020-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701041157/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/2/14/jovie-espenido-duterte-drug-watchlist.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Talabong|first=Rambo|title=Drug war poster boy Jovie Espenido is on Duterte drug list|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/251607-jovie-espenido-in-duterte-drug-list|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Rappler|date=12 February 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-02-14|title=DILG confirms drug war enforcer Espenido on Duterte narcolist|url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/288025/dilg-confirms-drug-war-enforcer-espenido-on-duterte-narcolist|access-date=2020-06-29|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-02-18|title=Espenido: I was ashamed and embarrassed to be included in the President's narco list|url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/289050/espenido-i-was-ashamed-and-embarrassed-to-be-included-in-the-presidents-narco-list|access-date=2020-06-30|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}
= Killing of Mayor Rolando Espinosa =
On November 5, 2016, Rolando Espinosa, then mayor of Albuera, Leyte, was killed in a Baybay City Provincial Jail cell by policemen who claimed they were serving a search warrant.{{Cite web|title=Espenido says politicians may have linked him to drugs|url=https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/2/19/jovie-espenido-intelligence-information-narco-list.html|access-date=2020-06-30|website=cnn|language=en}} A month later, Espenido was removed from his post after he was named by Espinosa's son, Kerwin, as the conduit to Ronnie Dayan, the alleged bagman of Sen. Leila de Lima, whom the Duterte administration had detained on drug trafficking charges.{{Cite web|title=Espenido stays as Ozamis police chief|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/06/espenido-stays-as-ozamis-police-chief|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Manila Bulletin News|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806113056/http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/06/espenido-stays-as-ozamis-police-chief/|url-status=dead}}
= Assassination of Mayor Parojinog =
Espenido earned various criticism regarding the bloody operation against members of the influential family of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. who was allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.{{Cite web|last=Torres-Tupas|first=Tetch|date=2019-05-31|title=Espenido on Parojinog guilty verdict: 'Grabe! Thank God'|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1125462/espenido-on-parojinog-guilty-verdict-grabe-thank-god|access-date=2020-06-30|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Mindanews|date=2017-07-31|title=Police: We wanted to get the Parojinogs alive|url=https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2017/07/police-we-wanted-to-get-the-parojinogs-alive/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=MindaNews|language=en-US}}
=Alleged illegal maneuvers to discredit the drug war=
In August 2024, Espenido testified before the House Committee that Senator Ronald dela Rosa directed the criminal cases dismissal against Kerwin Espinosa and Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog. He also accused Bong Go of sourcing intelligence funds from POGOs for Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.{{cite news |last1= Ismael|first1=Javier Joe |title=Espenido tags Bato in drug war|url= https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/08/29/news/national/espenido-tags-bato-in-drug-war/1967331|accessdate=August 29, 2024 |work= The Manila Times|date=August 29, 2024}}