7 Leyte cops tagged in Kerwin slay try

ALBUERA, Leyte, Philippines — The chief of police of Ormoc City and six of his men have been tagged as persons of interest in connection with an attempt to kill Kerwin Espinosa, who was shot while campaigning in this town on Thursday afternoon.

Espinosa, who is a self-confessed drug trafficker, is running for mayor of Albuera against incumbent Mayor Sixto dela Victoria and Vince Rama.

In a news conference yesterday, Espinosa said Col. Redante Ariza and his men – Lt. Col. Leonides Sydiongco, Maj. Arvin Jose Baronda, Cpl. Jeffrey Dagoy, Sgts. Alexander Jay Reponte and Alros Jade Astillas as well as Pat. Maricor Espinosa – are under restrictive custody at the Leyte provincial police.

The officers were reportedly prevented from escaping by residents shortly after the shooting that occurred in Barangay Tinag-an.

Aside from Espinosa, his sister and running mate Mariel along with a 10-year-old-girl were wounded in the attack.

Espinosa said the police officers were spotted 100 meters away from the crime scene.

He clarified that he is not accusing the officers of perpetrating the crime, saying it would depend on the court and on the pieces of evidence that would be gathered by investigators.

Espinosa, tagged as a major drug trafficker in Eastern Visayas during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, faced several drug cases filed in Cebu and Manila.

The courts, however, dismissed the charges against Espinosa due to technicalities and lack of evidence.

Espinosa said they have intensified security for all members of his slate.

Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia urged the police to solve the crime quickly. — Mayen Jaymalin