Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa was already discharged from the hospital on Friday, April 11, 2025, less than 24 hours since he was shot while in a campaign event in Barangay Tinag-an.

Espinosa sustained a gunshot wound on his right shoulder while waiting for his turn to speak at a “leaders caucus” in a gymnasium at the said barangay on April 10, 2025.

Police Regional Office 8, in a press statement, confirmed that shrapnels hurt his sister, vice mayoral candidate Mariel Espinosa Marinay, and a child.

Espinosa negated allegations that he orchestrated the shooting incident.

"Moingon bitaw sila scripted kuno. Scripted sa inyong kabuang. Scripted kuno, scripted kuno nurse? Naay duol sa akong kasing-kasing. Wala lang mo kapatay,” Espinosa said in a video while he was still in the hospital.

According to a report on GMA-7’s 24 Oras, seven cops are now under custody after being tagged as persons of interest in the shooting of Espinosa, as disclosed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on April 11, 2025.

The seven cops, who are assigned at Ormoc City Police Station, were wearing civilian clothing, according to PNP. Two of them are officials while the five others are non-commissioned officers.

Espinosa questioned the presence of the said Ormoc policemen in the area.

He called on Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres, and Congressman Richard Gomez for clarification.

He vowed that those responsible for the shooting incident will be held liable.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has condemned the incident.

According to COMELEC Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia, the assailant(s) must be identified.

"Any act of violence should be condemned by anyone. The perpetrators must be unmasked and brought to justice immediately. Election is never about killing but is instead the giving of life to our democracy. Ballots not bullets is the answer to our problems,” Garcia said.

A GMA News Online report recalled that in late 2016, Espinosa admitted before a Senate inquiry that he was involved in the illegal drug trade.

In 2018, the report added, Espinosa 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 drug evidence.

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

However, 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.

( via GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak Desk, GMA Integrated News, GMA News Online)