Ormoc police chief Ariza relieved over Kerwin Espinosa shooting

The Philippine National Police has relieved the head of the Ormoc City Police amid an investigation into the shooting incident that injured Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said Police Colonel Reydante Ariza was relieved as seven Ormoc-based policemen, now in PNP custody, are considered persons of interest in the crime, Super Radyo dzBB's Glen Juego reported on Friday.

Police Colonel Dennis Jose Llavore was designated officer-in-charge.

???????????????????? ????????????????????????: Ormoc City Police Dir Col Reydante Ariza, inalis sa puwesto, ayon kay PNP Spokesperson BGen Jean Fajardo

Ito'y matapos tukuyin ng PNP bilang persons of interest ang 7 pulis kaugnay sa pamamaril sa mayoralty candidate sa Albuera na si Kerwin Espinosa pic.twitter.com/GnDZdsNfpm

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 11, 2025

Espinosa was shot in the right shoulder by an unidentified assailant around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday while attending a campaign event. He was waiting for his turn to speak when the shooting occurred.

At a press conference on Friday, Fajardo said there is a possibility that a sniper was behind the shooting of Espinosa.

She also said that the seven policemen were seen inside a compound where the suspected getaway vehicle proceeded amid a hot pursuit operation. — VBL, GMA Integrated News

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