Suspected drug trafficker Rolando "Kerwin" Espinosa Jr. is expected to be in the country on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said Wednesday.

"We are ready. We are prepared," Dela Rosa when asked for their preparations for Espinosa's arrival from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He is expected to arrive around 2 am or 3 am Friday. From the airport, he will be brought Camp Crame in Quezon City

Espinosa fled the country before President Rodrigo Duterte took office on June 30. He is included in Duterte's list of narco-politicians.

Espinosa, the alleged drug kingpin in eastern Visayas, is the son of former Albuera, Leyte town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who was killed by policemen in an alleged encounter in a sub-provincial jail nearly two weeks ago.

Dela Rosa said they will return the arrest warrant issued against Espinosa to a court in Leyte to ensure his protection. "We will not bring him there so there is less risk," he said. Emmanuel Tupas/DMS