Kerwin Espinosa’s Right-hand Man Killed in Buy-Bust Operation

The alleged right-hand man of suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa was killed in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 in Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City Thursday afternoon.

PDEA 7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said his men fired at Julito Prak, after the latter tried to shoot them.

Prak, who was shot in the chest, was rushed to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Allegedly seized from Prak were 50 grams of white crystals believed to be shabu worth PHP360,000.

PDEA 7 agents invited Prak’s son for questioning.

“Prak was in charge of hiding Kerwin’s drug stocks,” said Ruiz.

Prak and Kerwin, he said, grew up together in Hipodromo.

Kerwin is the son of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. who had surrendered to Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Kerwin allegedly controls the drug trade in Eastern Visayas.

According to PDEA 7’s intelligence report, Prak distributed shabu in Hipodromo and in the neighboring barangays of Mabolo and Carreta.

“He hired other people to sell the shabu,” said Ruiz in Cebuano.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, a poseur-buyer was inside the suspect’s house to buy drugs.

After the transaction was completed, the agent signaled to the other agents outside to enter the house.

One of the agents shot Prak after he allegedly pulled out his .38 long-barreled revolver.

Ruiz said Prak was a known neighborhood toughie and his customers came from all walks of life. (PNA) JMC/EB/EDS