By Sarwell Meniano
TACLOBAN CITY – The seven police officers tagged as persons of interest in the shooting of self-confessed drug lord and Albuera, Leyte mayoralty bet Kerwin Espinosa are facing charges for carrying loose firearms in violation of the election gun ban.
Leyte police provincial director Col. Dionisio Apas said only five of the 14 firearms they voluntarily surrendered were officially issued, one was owned by a civilian, and eight were loose.
“Based on these findings, complaints have been filed against seven individuals for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the election gun ban. These charges were filed because some of the firearms were unregistered, and others were carried without the required permission during the election period,” Apas told reporters in a press briefing late Tuesday.
The 14 firearms consisted of six 5.56 caliber rifles, two 45 caliber pistols, one Mini Uzi submachine gun, and five 9mm pistols.
Categorized as loose firearms are five 5.56 caliber rifles, two .45 caliber pistols, and the Mini Uzi submachine gun based on examination of registration records with the Regional Civil Security Unit.
One 5.56 caliber rifle is registered to a civilian, while the five 9mm pistols were validated by the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division as officially issued, according to Apas.
He said forensic examinations tests showed that all firearms were operational, with gunpowder residue found on all of them.
“However, paraffin tests conducted on the persons of interest showed no traces of gunpowder residue on their hands or clothing,” Apas added.
Espinosa was shot by an unidentified suspect during a campaign activity in Tinag-an village on April 10.
After a few hours, seven officers in civilian attire were arrested in a residential area where witnesses said the shooter fled.
Those arrested are a police colonel, a lieutenant colonel, a staff sergeant, three corporals, and a patrolwoman.
They are under custody of the Eastern Visayas police regional office in Palo, Leyte, according to Apas.
Apas said that based on the initial investigation, the police officers were in the area for a meeting since they would serve a warrant of arrest at a village in Ormoc, near Albuera.
“The investigation into the frustrated murder complaint continues as authorities carefully piece together evidence while examining several possible motives. Investigators are working diligently to identify which of these motives aligns with the facts and the profiles of the victims, ensuring that the case builds on credibility,” the official added.
Supporters of Espinosa believed the shooting was politically motivated, noting that his opponent in the mayoral race, Vince Rama, is the brother-in-law of Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, the wife of Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez.
Incumbent Mayor Sixto Dela Victoria is running for reelection, making it a three-way fight.
Espinosa is supporting the candidacy of reelectionist Gomez’s rival, former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Vicente Veloso III. (PNA)
