Kerwin Espinosa shot on campaign trail in Albuera

Albuera, Leyte candidate for mayor Kerwin Espinosa was shot during a campaign event on Thursday afternoon at Barangay Tabgas. 

According to the police report, Espinosa was waiting for his turn to speak when an unidentified man “hiding in the ceiling of the stage shot the victim from behind using an undetermined firearm.” 

Also wounded were candidates for vice mayor Mariel Espinosa Marinay and a minor. 

“All victims were immediately brought by his close-in security utilizing their private car to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention," the police report said.

"Albuera MPS together with the SWAT immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation, while roadblocks were already established,” it added. 

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections condemned the incident.

“Any act of violence should be condemned by anyone. The perpetrators must be unmasked and brought to justice immediately," Comelec chairman George Garcia said.

"Election is never about killing but is instead the giving of life to our democracy. Ballots not bullets is the answer to our problems,” he added

Espinosa in late 2016 admitted before a Senate inquiry that he was involved in the illegal drug trade.

In 2018, he said in a counter-affidavit before state prosecutors that any statement he made before the Senate did not prove he was a drug lord if there was no evidence drug evidence.

The Baybay, Leyte court in June 2024 dismissed a drug case filed against him.

Espinosa is still facing charges of money laundering before a Pasay court and two cases for illegal possession of dangerous drugs and illegal possession of firearms, which the Court of Appeals earlier ordered reopened. –NB, GMA Integrated News

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