CAMPAIGN TRAIL Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa begins his marketing campaign to change into the subsequent mayor of Albuera, Leyte, the place his late father, Rolando Sr., additionally served as mayor. —ROEL T.AMAZON/CONTRIBUTOR
ALBUERA, LEYTE, Philippines — Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, as soon as recognized by the police as the most important drug lord in Japanese Visayas, is operating for mayor right here on a platform of ridding his hometown of unlawful medicine.
However as a substitute of taking an ironfisted strategy, Espinosa stated he was extra for rehabilitating drug customers whereas jailing the pushers.
Kerwin, 47, who’s operating beneath his native get together Bando Espinosa-Pundok Kausaban, stated the loss of life of his father, former Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., in an alleged shootout whereas in jail in 2016 made him flip over a brand new leaf and search the city’s highest put up to unravel the issue of unlawful medicine.
READ: Kerwin Espinosa keen to give up mayoral race to get justice for slain dad
He acknowledged that everyone knew about his previous involvement in narcotics.
“Due to my improper choices and involvement in unlawful medicine, my father died,” stated Kerwin in a press release despatched to the Inquirer on Monday.
“I are not looking for others to expertise what I went via. I’ve seen the dangerous results of medicine on individuals. It’s not good.”
Again then, Albuera, the place the Espinosas wielded energy and affect, turned the “capital” of unlawful medicine in Japanese Visayas. This was the time when Rodrigo Duterte had simply assumed the presidency and began his brutal conflict on medicine nationwide.
On orders of then Philippine Nationwide Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, police groups raided the Espinosa household compound in Barangay Binulho right here in August 2016. Then Mayor Espinosa was arrested whereas six of his males have been killed within the operation.
Kerwin fled the nation however was ultimately arrested in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Oct. 17, 2016. He was deported a month later.
Rolando Sr. was detained on drug fees on the subprovincial jail in Baybay Metropolis, Leyte, the place he was later killed in a supposed shootout with authorities on Nov. 5, 2016.
Kerwin was among the many jailed drug lords who linked then Sen. Leila de Lima within the unlawful medicine commerce. He later recanted, saying he was solely compelled to testify towards her.
The drug instances filed towards him have been ultimately dismissed by regional trial courts (RTC) in Makati, Manila and Baybay Metropolis for insufficiency of proof.
Kerwin remains to be dealing with a cash laundering case earlier than a Pasay Metropolis court docket and two instances—for unlawful medicine and firearms—that the Courtroom of Appeals ordered reopened earlier than a Manila RTC.
Reclaiming pa’s seat
Within the Could elections, Kerwin is dealing with reelectionist Mayor Sixto de la Victoria and Leyte Board Member Vincent Rama.
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Working for vice mayor with Kerwin is his youthful sister, Mariel. —with a report from Inquirer Analysis
