Kerwin Espinosa’s security aide dies in self-harm case 

A security escort of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolan ‘Kerwin’ Espina died inside the mayor’s residence in what was believed to be a case of self-harm, the town police reported Friday, August 8, 2025. INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY– A security escort of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolan ‘Kerwin’ Espina died inside the mayor’s residence in what was believed to be a case of self-harm, the town police reported Friday.

According to a report from the Albuera Municipal Police Station (MPS), authorities received a 911 call at 11:16 a.m. on August 7 regarding an illegal discharge of firearms at the mayor’s residential compound in Sitio Tinago, Barangay Binolho of the town.

Responding teams from the Albuera MPS, the 1st and 2nd Leyte Mobile Force Companies (LMFC), Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8 (RMFB8), and Ormoc City police’s Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) were immediately dispatched.

Upon arrival, residents informed the police that shots had been fired within the compound of Mayor Espinosa. Initial investigation revealed that a security escort, identified only as “Miyok,” was armed with a Galil rifle and a .45 caliber pistol that he fired inside the property before locking himself in a room on the second floor of the main residence.

Mayor Espinosa, who was at the municipal hall during the initial stages of the incident, reportedly rushed to his residence after being alerted by his security personnel. He later initiated negotiations with the suspect, who requested the presence of the media.

READ: Kerwin Espinosa shot at campaign event – PNP

At around 2:30 p.m., a local media practitioner arrived. However, after approximately 30 minutes of negotiation, a gunshot was heard from inside the locked room shortly after the media member left the area.

To assess the situation, police personnel threw coconut fruits at the door, hoping to elicit a response. When none came, officers broke a window in the bathroom and deployed a drone to survey the room. They discovered “Miyok” lying motionless on the bed, covered in blood from an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

A Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) team from Ormoc City police later confirmed the presence of a .45 caliber pistol with an inserted magazine beside the victim. A body search revealed various personal belongings, including identification cards, ATM cards, and a total of ₱56,570 in cash.

Authorities also coordinated with Ormoc’s EOD team to inspect the area for any potential explosives.

Espinosa has yet to release a statement on the incident.

Investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting is still ongoing. /coa