CA revives drug, gun cases vs Kerwin

The Court of Appeals CA) has ordered the revival of the cases of illegal possession of drugs and firearms against confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

- DAPHNE GALVEZ

In a 12-page ruling promulgated in February, the CA's 12th Division vacated and set aside the disposition of two of the three criminal cases against Espinosa and ordered the Manila court to continue with the consolidated trial.

The two cases that will be revived are for violating Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by Republic Act 8294 (illegal possession of firearms and ammunition) and for violating Section 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs) of Article 2 of RA9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Three separate criminal cases were lodged against Espinosa before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) for violating Section 5 (illegal sale and distribution of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs) and for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

In an August 2020 decision written by then Presiding Judge Silvino Pampilo, the Manila RTC Branch 26 found Espinosa guilty of illegal possession of firearms but acquitted him on the two drug charges in a consolidated decision.