Self-confessed drug lord, Albuera mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa shot in Leyte

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, who's running for mayor in Albuera, Leyte, has been shot while campaigning.

Espinosa, who was among the witnesses the government presented against former senator Leila De Lima, was shot at around 4:30 p.m. on April 10 in Barangay Tinag-an, Carl Kevin Batistis, a candidate running for Albuera councilor, posted on Facebook.

Police said Espinosa was awaiting his turn to speak during an event when an unknown gunman, who had been hiding in the ceiling above the stage, suddenly opened fire, per ABS-CBN News.

In addition to Espinosa, two others were injured in the attack: a minor from Barangay Tangas and Mariel Espinosa Marinay, a candidate running for vice mayor. 

Espinosa was immediatley brought to a hospital in Ormoc City.

There is no word yet on Espinosa's current condition, as of writing. 

The Albuera police have established checkpoints in key areas and launched an active pursuit operation to track down the suspect.

Espinosa and his father, former Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa, were linked to the illegal drug trade in eastern Visayas during former president Rodrigo Duterte's administration. They were accused of being involved in drugs after police found P11 million worth of shabu near their home in their municipality.

Rolando was killed in an alleged shootout in 2016.

In November 2016, Espinosa stated before the Senate that he gave De Lima some P8 million for her senatorial campaign through her former driver Ronnie Dayan. He would recant his allegations of dealings with the former senator in April 2022.