AT LEAST seven cops have been placed under custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) camp in Eastern Visayas following the assassination attempt of Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate and self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
The shooting on Thursday also left a child and Espinosa’s sister, Mariel Marinay, wounded. They were campaigning in Barangay Tinag-an when the attack happened.
In a press conference on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the seven police personnel, which include two officials and five non-commissioned officers, are under investigation after they were seen inside a compound where the alleged gunman went after the shooting, which injured Espinosa on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
The seven policemen were identified as Lieutenant Colonel Leonides Sydiongco, Sergeant Alrose Astilla, Corporal Arvin Jose Baronda, Corporal Jeffrey Dagoy, Corporal Alexander Reponte, Patrolman Maricor Espinosa, and Colonel Reydante Ariza.
Ariza is the director of Ormoc City Police Office.
“May isa tayong motor vehicle of interest, isa pong Montero na diumano na umalis agad doon sa site noong mangyari ‘yung insidente at nasundan ito kaagad, at nung nasundan ito ay may pinasukan itong isang compound at may at least two cars tayo na nakita doon, at nung pasukin yun ng mga pulis natin ay doon lumalabas based sa initial information na doon pumunta at tumakbo ‘yung nagpaputok,” she said.
(We have one motor vehicle of interest -- a Montero that allegedly left the scene immediately after the shooting occurred. It was followed right away, and during the pursuit, it entered a compound where we saw at least two cars. When our police entered the compound, initial information indicates that the gunman went there and ran inside.)
“So nung pagpasok doon sa compound ay may naabutan doon na mga pulis. So sa ngayon ay iniimbestigahan ngayon at under custody ngayon ng Leyte Police Office,” she added.
(When they entered the compound, there were police officers found inside. As of now, the incident is being investigated, and those individuals are currently under the custody of the Leyte Police Office.)
Fajardo said investigators found several firearms inside one of the vehicles, including six armalites, three 9MM caliber, two .45 caliber, and one UZI.
She said the seven policemen will undergo paraffin tests while the firearms will be subjected to ballistic examinations to know if any of it was used in a crime.
Fajardo said the policemen have a lot of explaining to do especially on their presence in the area, when they are actually assigned in Ormoc City.
She said investigators are looking into the possible involvement of a sniper.
“Ang tinitignan natin kaso doon mismong area kung saan nangyari (ang pamamaril) ay wala namang lumapit sa kanya (Espinosa) para barilin siya. Tinitignan natin is possibly ay doon sa isang area doon nandoon ang bumaril. Whether sniper ba siya o hindi, pero ang sabi ni RD (Police Regional Office Director General Jay Cumigad) possibly sniper kasi medyo malayo ang posibleng pinagpwestuhan (ng gunman),” said Fajardo.
(What we're looking into is that in the exact area where the shooting happened, no one actually approached him (Espinosa) to shoot him. What we're considering is that the shooter may have been positioned in another area nearby. Whether it was a sniper or not, RD (Police Regional Office Director General Jay Cumigad) said it's possibly a sniper because the suspected position of the gunman was quite far.)
Asked about PNP Chief Rommel Marbil’s reaction on the incident, Fajardo said: “Kung mayroon mang involved na police dito ay hindi niya ito itotolerate at hindi niya papayagan na ang mga pulis na ito ay ma involved sa mga ganitong klaseng mga activities, much more magamit kaninuman para i-advance ang kanilang political interest, so galit si CPNP.”
(If there are any police officers involved in this, the chief PNP will not tolerate it, and he will not allow these officers to be involved in such activities, much less be used by anyone to advance their political interests. So, the CPNP is angry.)
In a press conference also on Friday, April 11, Espinosa said there is no doubt that his shooting was politically motivated.
He called on Leyte Fourth District Representative Richard Gomez and his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres, to look into the matter.
“Sana mabigyan ito ng pansin ni Mayor Lucy, kung bakit napunta ang mga pulis mo sa aming lugar sa Albuera, lalo ka na Congressman Richard Gomez. Wala akong pinagbibintangan. Hayaan natin ang mga pulis mag-imbestiga,” said Espinosa.
(I hope Mayor Lucy can look into this -- why your police officers ended up in our area in Albuera, especially you, Congressman Richard Gomez. I'm not accusing anyone. Let's allow the police to investigate.)
Espinosa’s rival for the mayoralty race, Vince Rama, is Torres’ brother-in-law.
He also tagged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte Fourth District OIC-Assistant Engineer Peter Scheler Soco as the owner of the house where the seven cops were found during a pursuit operation.
Espinosa identified Soco as Gomez’s “bagman.”
The camp of Gomez has not yet issued a statement on the matter.
Espinosa, meanwhile, denied claims that the shooting was scripted.
“Sino naman ang mag scripted na dito sa dibdib ko ang tama at double action pa ang bala. Nakita n’yo naman na malaking butas ang aking braso, ba’t naman scripted,” said Espinosa.
(Who would script something like this -- getting shot in the chest with a double-action bullet? You saw the big hole in my arm, so why would this be scripted?)
Espinosa sought a security detail from the Commission on Elections for their safety following the incident.
“Sana mabigyang pansin ito ng Comelec, na sana mabigyan kami ng seguridad, mabigyan kami ng security detail, bawat isa sa amin. Mas maigi na magkaroon kami ng Comelec control dito dahil sa mga abusadong pulis na nababayaran,” he added.
(I hope the Comelec pays attention to this -- that we be given security, that each of us be provided with a security detail. It would be better if this area is placed under Comelec control because of abusive police officers who can be bribed.)
“Sana paimbestigahan talaga ang mga pulis na ito dahil dito sa nangyari sa amin sa Albuera, lalo na kay House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Sana walang whitewash na mangyari,” he added.
(I hope these police officers will be truly investigated. I’m asking especially House Speaker Martin Romualdez. I hope there won’t be any whitewashing.)
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO 8) vowed “transparency” and “impartiality” in its probe on the incident.
“Police Regional Office 8 reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, impartiality, and the rule of law. We assure the public that PRO 8 does not, and will never, condone abuse of authority. Personnel found to have violated their oath of service or the law will be held accountable through swift and appropriate action, in accordance with established administrative and criminal procedures,” it said in a statement released Friday, April 11.
“An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are working closely with oversight agencies to ensure that the process remains fair and grounded in truth. As guardians of peace and order, we remain steadfast in our duty to serve, protect, and uphold the very laws we enforce. We urge the public to support the ongoing investigation and refrain from speculation that may compromise the pursuit of justice,” it added. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)