TACLOBAN CITY – Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, who is running for mayor in Albuera, Leyte, was shot and wounded while campaigning at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, in Barangay Tinag-an.
ESPINOSA under treatment in a hospital. (FB)
Carl Kevin Batistis, who is running for councilor in Albuera, confirmed the report through a social media post.
A report said Espinosa was waiting for his turn to speak when an unidentified gunman hiding in the ceiling of the stage shot him from behind.
Kerwin was sitting beside his sister Mariel, who is his running mate, when he was shot. Mariel was wounded along with a girl.
Kerwin’s close-in security took the victims to the hospital. Police have set up checkpoints and pursuing the gunman.
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. Election is never about killing but is instead the giving of life to our democracy. Ballots, not bullets, are the answer to our problems,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
Kerwin’s team said he is safe. His team said he was taken to a hospital in Ormoc City, Leyte. “Please pray for his fast recovery,” they appealed.