Albuera mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa has denied rumors that he staged the recent shooting incident that injured him, his sister, and a minor during a campaign event. Speaking at a press conference after being released from the hospital, Espinosa showed visible gunshot wounds and dismissed the “ambush-me” allegations.
“Why would I shoot myself in the chest with a double-action bullet?” he said, pointing to the large wound on his arm.
Espinosa expressed concern for his safety after the Philippine National Police (PNP) identified seven Ormoc-based policemen as persons of interest. The PNP has placed the officers in custody and confiscated their firearms.
Due to the involvement of law enforcers, Espinosa said he no longer trusts most of the Ormoc police, except for a few he considers upright. He called on Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and Congressman Richard Gomez to look into how their city’s police ended up in Albuera during the incident.
The Leyte Police Provincial Office has confirmed an ongoing investigation, treating the case as a suspected election-related attack.
When asked if he will still testify before the International Criminal Court regarding alleged extrajudicial killings under the previous administration, Espinosa said the recent attack only strengthens his resolve. While expressing sympathy for former President Duterte’s age, he stated that accountability is necessary.