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February 5, 2026 | 5:28pm
Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolan Espinosa
Rolan Espinosa via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Albuera Mayor Kerwin Espinosa has surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over a murder charge against him.
This is after the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 issued a warrant of arrest against him and four others for alleged murder.
The Cebu RTC also said that the charge was non-bailable. NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari also confirmed his surrender.
According to media reports, Espinosa surrendered with two other accused.
In a video message shared on Thursday morning, Espinosa urged his followers to keep him in their prayers for his protection.
Who is Espinosa? Espinosa was elected mayor of Albuera, Leyte, during the 2025 midterm elections.
His sister, RR Espinosa, was also proclaimed vice mayor of Albuera in the same election.
In 2016, former President Rodrigo Duterte identified him as a figure in the Eastern Visayas illegal drug trade.
This accusation against him and his father, then-Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., followed a police raid near their residence that yielded P11 million worth of shabu.
While he had previously linked former senator, now Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima, to drug activities within the New Bilibid Prison, he has since withdrawn all allegations made against her.
