Leyte mayor surrenders; son still at large—Palace

PNP chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa. (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA—The mayor of Albuera, Leyte linked to illegal drugs has surrendered a day after President Rodrigo Duterte gave him 24 hours to surrender or face “shoot on sight”.

The office of Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella announced on Tuesday through text to the Malacañang media that Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. has surrendered but his son, Kerwin, remains at large.

Espinosa is now under custody of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Rolando “Bato” de la Rosa.

Last Monday, Abella announced that Pres. Duterte demanded the surrender within 24 hours of the father and son on the grounds of drug trafficking and coddling.

The Albuera mayor has gone on leave since about two weeks ago, according to the reports.

Two of Espinosa’s body guards and his three employees were arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted Thursday last week, July 28, at the tennis court near the houses of the mayor and his son at Sitio Tinago, in the village of Benoldo, Albuera.

Police recovered at least PHP1.9 million worth of suspected shabu from the operation, conducted particularly against one Jose Antipuesto, the caretaker of the mayor’s fighting cocks.

Combined elements of the local police and the Regional Police Safety Battalion were able to arrest Antipuesto, Jeffrey Pesquera, and Ernesto Espenido and the mayor’s bodyguards Jessi Ocares and Marcelo Adorco.

The police said four other suspects were able to escape after they went inside Kerwin’s house.