RESBAK

Toto E declares war vs cousin, nephew

By Francis Allan L. Angelo and Tara Yap

THE feud within the Espinosa clan might worsen with the declaration of an all-out war of one of its member against a cousin and nephew.

Pascual “Toto E” Espinosa III declared retribution against his nephew Jesus “Jing-Jing” Espinosa Jr., son of his cousin Jesus “Jing” Espinosa Sr., for shooting him and brother Leo early morning Tuesday.

Toto E underwent surgery after he sustained four gunshot wounds in his chest, hand and legs.

Leo suffered minor injuries when they alleged exchanged shots with Jing-Jing and an unidentified person at Zamora Street, Iloilo City proper past 2am the other day.

In several radio interviews Wednesday, Toto E said Jing-Jing wants him dead because he exposed the latter’s involvement in illegal drugs trade when he was still head of Task Force Adams Apple.

Toto E said his crusade against illegal drugs is the motive for the attempt on his life last November 1, 2002 in front of San Jose Church in Iloilo City proper. He sued Jing-Jing for the ambush but the latter was acquitted by the Regional Trial Court early this year.

“This is the second time that he tried to kill me. This is too much. We have no recourse but to defend ourselves when cross paths. I am asking persons outside the family not to intervene in our family feud,” Toto E said over Bombo Radyo and Aksyon Radyo.

Toto E said the police should do its job in resolving the case lest they take matters in their own hands.

Jing Espinosa Sr. defended his son Jing-Jing saying they have not been convicted of any drug-related cases.

Jing said Toto E will be taking the law in his hands if he plans to retaliate on them.

“If something happens to me and my family, the public and authorities have an idea who is behind it. I just hope that Toto E will not take the law in his own hand because we have the police and other authorities who can resolve what happened,” Jing said.

Jing said he has no idea why Toto E has been after their family as they were very close to each other before the 2002 ambush.

ON ALERT

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) said they are on heightened alert to prevent further bloodshed in the aftermath of the Espinosa clan clash.

C/Insp. Noel Lamsis, Police Precinct 1 chief, said their police sub-station in Waterfront area is also on alert.

But Lamis downplayed the pronouncement of Pascual “Toto E” Espinosa III.

“I think Toto E meant that it is an all-out war for the immediate arrest of Jing-Jing,”

Lamsis told The Daily Guardian.

Jing-Jing and his unidentified companion who allegedly sprayed bullets on Toto E and Leo are still at large.

Lamsis is hoping that the family of Toto E and Leo will go directly to the court instead of retaliating on the streets.

Lamsis said S/Supt. Dennis Basngi, ICPO director, will prevent more bloodshed in the Waterfront area.

“The two families have their own supporters and followers. We can’t deny the closeness of these people towards them,” Lamsis said.

“If the situation gets hotter, then it would be very hard to control,” Lamsis explained on why ICPO is beefing up police presence in the waterfront area.

Lamsis was quick to point, however, that the incident will not result in reinstating Task Force Waterfront (TF Waterfront).

In 2002, the Police Regional Office (PRO 6) created TF Waterfront to end the rampant drug trade, extortion and violent killings, where members of the Espinosa clan were alleged involved. The task force was dissolved in 2006.

Meanwhile, the ICPO has tapped the help of the intelligence unit to track down the whereabouts of Jing-Jing and his unidentified companion.