Person of Interest Identified in Shooting of Kerwin Espinosa
KERWIN ESPINOSA SHOOTING INCIDENT – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) has identified a person of interest in the shooting of the mayoral candidate from Albuera, Leyte.
On Friday, Police Major Analiza Armeza confirmed the development but declined to release further details. Espinosa, along with vice mayoral candidate Mariel Espinosa Marinay and a minor, were wounded in the attack. However, all victims are now in stable condition.
The shooting took place around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday during a campaign event. Espinosa was waiting for his turn to speak when an unidentified gunman, hiding in the ceiling of the stage, shot him from behind. Espinosa was hit in the right shoulder. The victims were quickly taken to a nearby hospital by Espinosa’s close-in security using a private car.
Authorities acted swiftly after the attack. The Albuera Municipal Police and SWAT team immediately launched a hot pursuit operation and set up roadblocks to track down the suspect.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) condemned the violence, calling for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice. Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized that elections should not be about violence, but rather about strengthening democracy through peaceful means, stating that “ballots, not bullets,” are the solution to the country’s problems.
Espinosa has been a controversial figure. In late 2016, he admitted to involvement in the illegal drug trade during a Senate inquiry, although he later clarified in 2018 that his statements did not prove he was a drug lord, especially in the absence of drug-related evidence. In June 2024, a Baybay court dismissed a drug case against him, but he still faces charges of money laundering in Pasay and other legal issues, including illegal possession of drugs and firearms, which the Court of Appeals ordered to be reopened.