The PNP views Espenido’s posting as putting emphasis on the President’s campaign promise to eradicate illegal drugs.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s resolve to fight the illegal drug menace serves as Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido’s inspiration in carrying out his duties.

“I’m really inspired and on-the-go in my work because I know that we have a President who is a fighter and who will fight for the people,” Espenido said.

“In my 24 years in service, he is the best President for me, for my work,” he added.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also defended Espenido’s appointment as Bacolod police chief.

Espenido was transferred due to the city supposedly being a hotbed of personalities involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“The PNP views Espenido’s posting as putting emphasis on the President’s campaign promise to eradicate illegal drugs. Espenido is placed there to intensify the campaign against crime, illegal drugs and rogue cops, following established procedures and rule of law, with utmost respect for human rights,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said.

The official then allayed concerns of Bacolodnons and assured that the police force respects human rights and will always observe protocol in carrying out law enforcement operations.

“The people of Bacolod have nothing to fear in the assignment of Espenido because he will not do any action that will violate human rights,” he added.

Before being tapped as chief of the Bacolod PNP, Espenido was the command’s deputy city director for operations. It was a post he occupied following a controversial stint in Ozamiz City.

Espenido led the police operation that resulted in the death of Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, one of the local chief executives included in Mr. Duterte’s “narco list.”

Prior to that, Espenido, who then was chief of police of Albuera, Leyte, became controversial over his involvement in the 2016 death of former Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was said to have fought off policemen while being arrested without a warrant.

Espenido assumed the post of deputy city director for operations of the Bacolod City Police Office on Wednesday. City police director PCol Henry Biñas intends to place the celebrated police officer in the Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit.

“I placed Espenido there, the police officer people are most scared of,” the President said in an address to the Philippine Business Conference on Thursday night.

Espenido, however, did not directly say what he thinks of the President’s statement.

“We cannot really comment on what the President wants to say. He is the Chief Executive. He is my Commander-in-Chief,” he said.

Espenido, who turned 51 on Friday, said that he, along with his superiors in the PNP, still has “the prerogative to protect the lives and properties of the people as mandated by the Constitution.”

He added that policemen, as law enforcers, should do their job well because even the President himself is putting his life on the line in the war against drugs.

“He is laying down his life in the fight against illegal drugs, protecting the police while doing their job. He is even willing to get jailed. That’s how inspired he is in doing his job,” Espenido said.

He expressed hope that the people of Bacolod will be supportive and be one with the police in the campaign against drugs.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a statement he was leaving it to the “best judgment” of the President on how he sees the illegal drug situation in Bacolod.

“I believe the President has Bacolod close to his heart, so he must have the best of intentions for Bacolod,” he added.

He noted that he believes “the authorities know better about the real drug situation and the other areas of peace and order.”

“We leave it to the best judgment of the President and we feel that he is, in fact, concerned about Bacolod,” Leonardia indicated.