Kerwin Espinosa released from hospital, denies 'ambush-me' allegations

Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa on Friday denied the allegations that the shooting incident during a campaign trail on Thursday was self-inflicted. 

According to Ian Cruz’s report in “24 Oras,” Espinosa held a press conference right after he was released from the hospital where he also showed everyone his gunshot wounds on his chest and left arm. 

“Sino naman ang mag-scripted na dito sa dibdib ko ang tama at double action pa ang bala. Nakita niyo naman na malaking butas ang aking braso. Bakit naman scripted?” the mayoral candidate said. 

(Why would I shoot myself in the chest and use a double-action bullet? You can see the big puncture on my arm. Why would I stage hurting myself?) 

However, Espinosa admitted that he now fears for his life after the Philippine National Police tagged seven Ormoc-based policemen as persons of interest behind the shooting that also injured his sister and a minor. 

“Dahil sa rason ng seguridad ko. Kasi ang involved na mga person of interest, nawalan ako ng tiwala sa mga kapulisan sa Ormoc maliban sa mga matino,” he said. 

(I fear for my security given that the persons of interest are cops. So I lost my trust now in the police in Ormoc except for the noble ones.) 

The PNP said that the seven persons of interest are now under its custody and it has also confiscated their firearms. 

Meanwhile, the Leyte Police Provincial Office said that it is also conducting its investigation into the incident. 

“Ang buong pwersa ng Leyte Police Provincial Office ay patuloy na nagka-conduct ng in-depth investigation para mahuli na po ang gumawa nito. Kapag ang biktima po ay isang kandidato o supporter, it is classified as suspected election-related incident,” said Police Lieutenant Mary Antonette Espino, public information officer of Leyte Police. 

(The whole force of the Leyte Police Provincial Office is continuously conducting an in-depth investigation to arrest the people behind it. If a victim is a candidate or a supporter, it is classified as an election-related incident.)  

While he is not pointing fingers at anyone, Espinosa is asking Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and her husband Ormoc Representative Richard Gomez to look into the shooting incident. 

“Sila ay naka-assign sa Ormoc City. Isang malaking tanghaga na may taong naguutos sa kanila na mataas na politician din. Ang ano ko ay sana mabigyan ‘to ng pansin ni Mayor Lucy kasi siya ngayon ang alkalde ng Ormoc City kung bakit napunta ang mga pulis mo sa aming lugar, sa Albuera. Lalong lalo ka na Congressman Richard Gomez sana mabigyan mo ito ng pansin na parang hindi tama. Wala akong binibintangan kung sino,” said Espinosa. 

(They are assigned in Ormoc City. So it could be possible that the ones who ordered them are high-ranking politicians. I hope that Mayor Lucy will investigate this given that the cops involved are from her city. I also hope Congressman Richard Gomez will pay attention to this because there’s something wrong. But I’m not blaming anyone.) 

To testify before the ICC on EJK? 

When asked if he is still willing to testify before the International Criminal Court about the extrajudicial killings in the previous administration, Espinosa said that the shooting incident fuels him to do so. 

Espinosa said that he feels bad for President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest given his old age, but he noted that the former president must be held accountable. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News

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