6 killed as Leyte mayor’s men, police clash

Police in Albuera, Leyte, take control of the house of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. Mayor Espinosa and his son Kerwin, have been accused of running drug manufacturing and trafficking in the whole of Visayas. Photo by ROBERT DEJON/INQUIRER VISAYAS

At least six people were reportedly killed when members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and alleged henchmen of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. clashed early Wednesday morning, Radyo Inquirer reported.

The encounter reportedly happened inside Espinosa’s house in Barangay (village) Benulho, Albuera, Leyte.

Police have yet to ascertain the identities of those slain.

Espinosa and his son Kerwin were earlier asked by President Rodrigo Duterte to surrender or risk being killed.

READ: Duterte to Leyte mayor, son: Surrender or die

Duterte issued the warning after Espinosa’s two bodyguards and three employees were arrested in a buy-bust operation which netted P1.9 million worth of shabu.

On Tuesday, Espinosa surrendered to PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa. His son remains at large.

READ: Leyte mayor under custody of Dela Rosa; Espinosa son still at large

Duterte has been relentless in his war against drugs, a policy which carried the long-time Davao City mayor to Malacañang last May.

He earlier named five active and retired police officials who allegedly coddled drug lords.

Duterte’s chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the President was set to release a “shocking” list of names of 27 local executives linked to the illegal drug trade. AJH