Leyte town mayor Espinosa back to work

Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa has returned to work at the municipal hall, a week after he and his son were charged for possession of illegal drugs and firearms.

A report by News To Go on Tuesday said Espinosa was met by his supporters upon his arrival at the municipal hall.

The mayor went straight to the conference room without providing any statement.

The report said members of the police's Public Safety Battalion secured the town hall as the mayor arrived.

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed criminal charges against the mayor following the seizure of 11 kilograms of suspected shabu and a cache of firearms and explosive components in one of his houses in Albuera.

The report, however, said that no formal charges have been filed against the mayor.

The police recently said that the six armed men killed in an alleged shootout in Albuera were Espinosa's men.

The six men were killed by the police near the houses of the mayor and his son, Kerwin.

The encounter happened after Espinosa surrendered to PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and admitted that his son is involved in the illegal drug trade.

Dela Rosa evicted Espinosa from his official residence at Camp Crame after the mayor's son failed to surrender. —Rie Takumi/ALG, GMA News