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Kerwin Espinosa Acquitted Of Illegal Possession Of Firearms And Explosives By Manila RTC
Photo credit: Senate of the Philippines
Rolan Kerwin Espinosa, who was facing charges related to illegal possession of firearms and explosives, has been acquitted by Judge Janice Yulo-Antero of Manila RTC Branch 16. The verdict comes after a long legal battle and a consolidated decision involving the transfer of the case from another jurisdiction.
The case, which was originally filed in Baybay, Leyte, was transferred to Manila upon the request for a venue change in April 2017. Espinosa, also known as "Kerwin Espinosa," had been charged with violations of R.A. 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms) and R.A. 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives).
The accusatory portions of the case alleged that Espinosa had acquired and possessed various firearms, ammunitions, and explosives without the required government authorization, all of which were found on properties owned by him and his father, Mayor Rolando Espinosa, in Albuera, Leyte.
During the trial, Espinosa disclosed that he had only completed the first grade and was unable to read or write. He claimed that he had signed the statements under duress, revealing that he was coerced, threatened, and intimidated. Furthermore, he recanted his previous statements, asserting that the firearms and ammunition belonged to Mayor Espinosa, not him.
The court ultimately ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove Espinosa's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. It found no evidence that he was in effective control or possession of the firearms and explosives. As a result, Espinosa was acquitted of all charges related to the illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
In light of this verdict, the City Jail Warden of the Manila City Jail has been ordered to release Espinosa unless he is detained for other lawful reasons. Additionally, all confiscated firearms and ammunition are to be forfeited in favor of the government and will be turned over to the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The case, which was originally filed in Baybay, Leyte, was transferred to Manila upon the request for a venue change in April 2017. Espinosa, also known as "Kerwin Espinosa," had been charged with violations of R.A. 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms) and R.A. 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives).
The accusatory portions of the case alleged that Espinosa had acquired and possessed various firearms, ammunitions, and explosives without the required government authorization, all of which were found on properties owned by him and his father, Mayor Rolando Espinosa, in Albuera, Leyte.
During the trial, Espinosa disclosed that he had only completed the first grade and was unable to read or write. He claimed that he had signed the statements under duress, revealing that he was coerced, threatened, and intimidated. Furthermore, he recanted his previous statements, asserting that the firearms and ammunition belonged to Mayor Espinosa, not him.
The court ultimately ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove Espinosa's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. It found no evidence that he was in effective control or possession of the firearms and explosives. As a result, Espinosa was acquitted of all charges related to the illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
In light of this verdict, the City Jail Warden of the Manila City Jail has been ordered to release Espinosa unless he is detained for other lawful reasons. Additionally, all confiscated firearms and ammunition are to be forfeited in favor of the government and will be turned over to the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Sep 4, 2023
