MANILA – The cop who shot dead Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. on Wednesday told the latter’s son, Kerwin, that he has no regrets in killing the mayor.

Chief Inspector Leo Laraga of the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 8 again defended his decision to shoot the elder Espinosa during a pre-dawn raid at the Baybay City, Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail last November 5.

Senators probing the death of the mayor have said they are convinced that the killing of the mayor was “premeditated.”

But Laraga stood by his action and told Kerwin he does not regret it.

“Kung talagang nagsisisi ka at hindi ka takot na pagbayaran ang mga kasalanan mo, aminin mo kung sino ang pinagpapatay niyo sa Region 8 at nang mabigyan ng hustisya ang pamilya nila,” Laraga told Kerwin.

“Ako wala akong pagsisisi eh, kasi lumaban naman ang tatay mo. At saka hindi inosenteng tao iyon. Ayaw kong mawalan ang anak ko ng ama kung ako ang napatay ng tatay mo.”

Earlier in the hearing, Kerwin also claimed that Laraga demanded a P120,000 monthly “SOP” or protection money from him. P100,000 of the money was supposedly intended for then-general and now Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot and P20,000 for Laraga.

• READ: Kerwin claims Loot got P100K weekly from him

Laraga dismissed this allegation and pointed to the supposed inconsistencies in Kerwin’s testimony.

“Madali kasing mag-implicate, kahit nga ako pwede kong sabihin kung sino, pero dapat may basis,” Laraga said.