Albuera mayoral candidate files frustrated murder charges against 7 Ormoc policemen

Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa has filed frustrated murder charges against seven Ormoc City policemen allegedly involved in a recent shooting attempt on his life.

Espinosa claims the politically motivated shooting occurred during a campaign event in Barangay Tinag-an when an unidentified man shot him from close range while he was waiting to speak, resulting in injuries to Espinosa and others.

The complaint was filed at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Baybay City, Leyte on April 24, along with additional charges for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban under Republic Act 10591 and the Omnibus Election Code.

Charged are former Ormoc City police director Police Col. Reydante Ariza, Lt. Col. Leonides Sydiongco, Sgt. Alrose Astilla, Corporal Arvin Jose Baronda, Corporal Jeffrey Dagoy, Corporal Alexander Reponte, and Patrolwoman Maricor Espinosa.

Espinosa filed the cases to obtain justice and identify the mastermind behind the shooting without directly accusing anyone, while also revealing that he had received death threats prior to the incident.

The Philippine National Police relieved Colonel Reydante Ariza as head of the Ormoc City Police Chief amid an ongoing investigation, replacing him with Police Colonel Dennis Jose Llavore.