Former PBA cager Dennis Espino arrested
You can run, but you can’t hide.
After eight months of being a fugitive, former PBA star Dennis Espino, who has been accused of illegal detention, was finally nabbed by authorities during an operation in Mabalacat, Pampanga last Thursday.
According to PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Chief P/Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., Espino, 38, was caught in his brother’s office in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat, Pampanga behind a team from the Women and Children Protection Division headed by Chief Inspector Fernando Cunanan Jr.
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The arrest warrant, issued by Judge Mary Anne Pardon-Rivera of San Fernando, Pampanga Regional Trial Court branch 46, suggests no bail for Espino.
A prominent figure during the glorious run of University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP in mid-90s, Espino was charged by Mildred Eiman, 20, who served as his personal secretary while running the Northline Farms in Arayat, Pampanga.
According to the sworn statement of Eiman, Espino detained her for at least a month after she failed to pay a debt of P5,000.
Based on several reports, the manhunt took eight months since Espino, cousin of Arayat mayor Luis Espino, managed to move from one place to another.
He reportedly sought refuge in his family's ancestral house in Nepo, Angeles City, aside from hiding in his house at Vista Verde in Cainta, Rizal and also in Baguio City.
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Espino was drafted first overall in the 1995 rookie draft by Sta. Lucia and played 14 seasons with the Realtors, helping them to win two titles in the process. He was then traded to Coca-Cola in 2009 and also had a brief stint with Talk ‘N Text,before hanging up his sneakers.
Espino also donned the national colors with the Philippine Centennial Team, which bageed the bronze medal in the 1998 Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand.
