Kerwin Espinosa says he received death threat before gun attack in Leyte

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Kerwin Espinosa alleges that the attempt on his life was politically motivated, and a 'big' politician was behind it

LEYTE, Philippines – Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate and alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa said on Friday, April 11 his campaign staff was warned by a still unidentified individual that he would not survive to see the end of the election period.

“May nagsabi sa kanya na hindi daw darating na makaupo ako o matapos ang election, mamahinga daw ako,” Espinosa said while on a hospital bed.

(Someone told him that I wouldn’t be able to sit down or that after the election, I would be resting)

Espinosa was shot around 4:30 pm on Thursday, April 10, at the gymnasium of Barangay Tinag-an in Albuera town, Leyte.

Based on initial reports from the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO), an unidentified male suspect fired approximately 50 meters away from the stage where Espinosa was at the time of his campaign. Police have not yet identified the firearm used.

“The mayoral candidate sustained a gunshot wound with the bullet entering the front right upper chest and exiting at the back right posterior upper arm,” a statement on LPPO’s official Facebook page read.

Aside from the controversial mayoral candidate, his sister Marielle “RR” Espinosa-Marinay sustained a graze wound to her left ear, while a minor was also grazed on the left shoulder during the gun attack.

“Dito sa may puso, sa dibdib ang tama ko. Tumagos dito sa braso ko rin kaya medyo namamaga ang braso ko,” Espinosa said.

(I was hit near my heart, on my chest. The bullet went through my arm, so my arm is a little swollen.)

Espinosa told Rappler that he is safe and undergoing treatment in a hospital in Ormoc City. He also refuted allegations that the incident was scripted.

Guns and goons

For Espinosa, the ambush was politically motivated. While not naming names, Espinosa said that a “big” politician was the brains behind the attempt on his life. 

“May nahuli mga perpetrators or gunmen at kapag inilabas na ang mga pangalan neto… mga pulis, hindi mga ordinaryong tao, mga pulis,” he said.

(The gunmen have been caught and once their names are being released… these are police officers, not ordinary people, police officers.)

Espinosa also claimed that the attack was “budgeted.” 

Manhunt continues

According to the LPPO, investigators have determined that Espinosa was the intended target of the attack.

“The shooting, which took place during a campaign rally, has been classified as a Suspected Election-Related Incident (S-ERI),” the LPPO’s official statement read.

Leyte cops have launched a hot pursuit operation since Thursday afternoon to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspect. 

“The Leyte Police is committed to ensuring justice and maintaining peace throughout Leyte Province during this vital election period,” LPPO Provincial Director Police Colonel Dionisio Apas Jr. said on Friday. 

As of this posting, police have not confirmed reports of three suspects supposedly arrested on Thursday evening, April 10, in Albuera town, Leyte. – Rappler.com