6 alleged Espinosa men killed in Leyte shootout with police

Six armed men believed to be linked to Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and his son Kerwin were killed early Wednesday following a shootout with Leyte policemen.

Two of the victims died in the mayor's house, two in the house of Kerwin who is allegedly a drug lord, and the other two in the first house of the mayor. Their identities have yet to be established by the police.

The incident took place at Sitio Tinago in Brgy. Benolho at 5:30 a.m.

Citing information from Leyte police director Senior Supt. Franco Simborio, Philippine National Police spokesperson Sr. Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the policemen were patrolling the area when the gunmen suddenly fired shots at them.

"Sa aming pag-uusap, nagpatrolya po iyong local police ngunit nung pagdating dun malapit sa isang basketball court na malapit sa doon sa bahay ni mayor ay sila ay pinaputukan at tinambangan," Carlos said in a press conference.

"Wala namang pong dahilan para mamutok ang ating mga pulis. Sila po ay nagpapatrolya. The initial gunfire came from the suspected members of the Espinosa group and our police officers returned fire and fought it out," he added.

Eastern Visayas Police Regional Director Elmer Beltejar said the police officers encountered 12 armed men.

Carlos said police recovered 13 assorted high-powered firearms, four cal .45 pistols and rifle grenades from the scene.

The slain suspects also had short firearms with them.

A report by Ivan Mayrina on radio dzBB said one of those killed was a rebel who became the leader of an alleged private armed group of Mayor Espinosa. 

Police said the former rebel was involved in killings in 2013, 2014 and during this year's May elections.

The report said the local police may pursue charges against Mayor Espinosa based on the discovery of the private armed group in his properties.

Authorities are pursuing four other suspects and have surrounded a suspected safehouse as of posting time.

Carlos said during the press conference that the elder Espinosa owns three firearms, two of which expired last May, based on information from the PNP's Firearm and Explosives Office.

He said Espinosa has a shotgun and two Glock pistols (a nine millimeter and a .40 caliber). The pistols' licenses expired on May 5, 2016, he added.

"Yung dalawang pistola dapat 'yan nakadeposito na sa local unit police station, kung hindi man dapat in other police units," he said.

The elder Espinosa surrendered to authorities on Tuesday after President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday he will give a "shoot-on-sight order" to the police if the mayor and his son do not voluntarily surrender within 24 hours.

The mayor is expected to appear at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Wednesday afternoon to clarify allegations that he and his son are involved in drug trafficking.

Kerwin has yet to show up to clear his name. He has reportedly had his face altered through plastic surgey and has reported left the country.

Reports said about P1.9 million worth of 237 grams of suspected shabu were recovered by authorities in a buy-bust operation last Thursday near the houses of the Espinosas. Five were arrested, all employees of Mayor Espinosa and Kerwin.

The elder Espinosa on Tuesday admitted his son has links to the drug trade.

PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Tuesday called on Kerwin to surrender or die.

Kerwin is reportedly out of the country, either in Singapore or Malaysia, dela Rosa said. —Virgil Lopez/KG/RSJ/ALG/KBK, GMA News