Espinosa wounded in Leyte rally, implicates Rep Gomez

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa was seriously wounded during a campaign event in Barangay Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte on Thursday, April 10.

An unidentified gunman shot Espinosa from behind while he was speaking to residents; his sister Mariel Espinosa Marinay and a teenage girl also sustained injuries but are now in stable condition.

The shooting occurred during a campaign rally inside a gymnasium when the assailant fired shots from the stage ceiling where he was hiding.

Espinosa accused high-ranking politician Richard Gomez, Leyte 4th District Representative, of orchestrating the attack and implicated his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, citing political motives.

Police Regional Office 8 is investigating the incident and has taken individuals of interest to their headquarters in Palo, Leyte for questioning; seven Ormoc police officers remain persons of interest in the investigation.

Gomez dismissed Espinosa's allegations as lacking credibility and stated that an ongoing investigation will reveal 'flaws' in the story.

Espinosa called on Gomez to investigate the attack further, noting that some personnel from the Ormoc City Police Office were taken into custody following the shooting.