TACLOBAN CITY – Rolan Kerwin Espinosa on Friday said a high-ranking politician is behind the attempt on his life during a campaign rally on Thursday.
KERWIN Espinosa and running mate sister Mariel during the filing of COCs.
Espinosa, who is running for mayor of Albuera, Leyte, claimed that police officers from Ormoc City were seen by lawmen from Albuera where the direction of the gunshot came from.
He also said that a 5.56 Bushmaster Armalite was used to shoot him using a double-action bullet that hurt his sister, Mariel, his running mate, and the daughter of one of his candidates for councilor.
“Sana mabigyan ito ng pansin ni Mayor Lucy kasi siya ngayon ang alkade ng Ormoc City kung bakit napunta ang mga police mo sa Albuera lalo ka na po Congressman Richard Gomez,” he said.
(I hope that Mayor Lucy notices because she is the mayor of Ormoc City and asks her policemen why they went to Albuera, particularly you, Congressman Richard Gomez)
Espinosa is in a three-way fight against incumbent Mayor Sixto dela Victoria and Board Member Vince Rama, the brother-in-law of Mayor Gomez.
He said the gunshot came from the direction of an assistant district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“What a coincidence na nandoon talaga sila at sa balita ko sa panahon ni Duterte sila ang liquidator,” Espinosa added.
(What a coincidence that they are there and I learned that they were liquidators during the time of (President) Duterte)
Espinosa said Police Col. Reydante Ariza, Ormoc City police director, was present, including four police officers.
He said two Sports Utility Vehicles were seen in a house with Espinosa's tarpaulin placed on them.
“Wala akong pinagbinibintangan kung sino hayaan natin ang pulisya ang mag-imbestiga sa krimen.”
(I am not suspecting anyone. Let the police investigate)
Espinosa said he will continue his campaign and file cases against the perpetrators.
He called on the Commission on Elections to provide them with security details and agree to place Albuera under Comelec control due to alleged “paid cops.”
The Police Regional Office-8 said they have secured persons of interest in the incident.
Espinosa questioned why the persons of interest were taken to the PRO-8 headquarters in Palo, Leyte instead of the Albuera Police Station.
He asked that there would be no whitewashing and urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the police to conduct a fair investigation of the incident.
Ormoc City police chief sacked
Meanwhile, Police Col. Reydante Ariza, Ormoc City police chief, was relieved on Friday after Espinosa tagged him in the attempt on his life.
Espinosa claimed that six policemen were involved in the shooting incident.
He also named Police Lt. Col. Leonides Sydiongco, Sgt. Alrose Astilla, Corporals Arvin Jose Baronda, Jeffrey Dagoy, and Alexander Reponte, and Patrolman Maricor Espinosa, who are all are assigned to the Ormoc City police station.
Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, confirmed that seven policemen who are considered as persons of interest have been placed under the custody of Leyte Provincial Police Office.