Self-confessed drug lord launches mayoral bid in Leyte

MAYORAL BID. Self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa and another candidate in his slate show a copy of their certificates of candidacy during the filing on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. He is running for mayor of Albuera town, Leyte province in the May 2025 polls. | PHOTO: Facebook page of Care Win

TACLOBAN CITY — Self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor of his hometown, Albuera in Leyte province, the same post held by his slain father.

In a social media post on his official Facebook page, “Care Win,” Espinosa was seen holding a copy of his COC filed on Oct. 1.

He also posted photos and videos of his supporters, who accompanied him in the COC filing. Joining him are candidates under the Bando Espinosa-Pundok Kausaban (BE-PK) party.

Supporters of the Espinosa camp were seen wearing blue shirts with BE-PK prints distributed during the first day of filing.

“I am running to help those who are oppressed regardless of your age and economic status,” he told the cheering supporters.

He is reportedly running against incumbent Mayor Sixto Dela Victoria.

Kerwin was released from jail after the Regional Trial Court in Baybay City junked a case against him for lack of evidence.

In 2016, he was one of the personalities linked by then-President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas.

Duterte accused Espinosa and his father, Rolando Espinosa, Sr., then mayor of Albuera, of their involvement in the narcotics trade after a police raid that found P11 million worth of shabu near the family’s residence in Albuera.

The elder Espinosa surrendered in mid-2016 but was later killed inside his jail cell in Baybay City. (PNA)