Duterte to Leyte mayor, son: Surrender or ‘die’

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte answers questions during an ambush interview with Malacañang press after a mass oath-taking ceremony by President’s appointees held in Malacanang Palace, August 1, 2016. JOAN BONDOC

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday called on Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. and his son to surrender or risk being killed if they attempt to resist arresting officers.

“President Rodrigo R. Duterte demanded the surrender of Mayor Ronaldo  Espinosa Sr., of Albuera, Leyte and his son, Kerwin Espinosa, on the grounds of drug-trafficking and coddling, within 24 hours, otherwise an order of “shoot on sight” will be given if they resist and endanger the lives of arresting police officers,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

Espinosa’s staff were earlier arrested during a buy-bust operation where officers seized P1.9 million worth of shabu.

While two of the mayor’s bodyguards and three employees were arrested, four managed to escape by sprinting into the house of Kerwin Espinosa and locking the gate.

The mayor was said to have gone on leave.

READ: Bodyguards of Leyte town mayor held for drugs