Albuera remains on yellow alert as Comelec downplays poll violence fears

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) had ruled out the possibility of placing Albuera, Leyte under the red category of election areas of concern, despite the recent shooting involving a mayoral candidate.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia noted there’s no need for classifying Albuera under an area that indicates a high potential for violence or unrest during elections.

“So far naman, mukhang hindi naman kinakailangan magtaas ng classification doon sa lugar kasi naman base sa imbestigasyon ng PNP ay meron na silang napunto na maaaring responsible dito o kaya puwede mapanagot,” said Comelec Chairperson George Garcia in a press conference on Friday evening.

(So far, it seems there's no need to raise the classification of the area, because based on the PNP's investigation, they have already identified someone who may be responsible or can be held accountable.)

Garcia said the Comelec believes that placing Albuera under the “yellow” category is still "sufficient."

“Bakit natin guguluhin ang kabuuan ng buong bayan kung hindi naman pala apektado, meron lamang iilan na responsible dito?” he said.

(Why should we disrupt the peace of the entire town when it's not really affected, and only a few individuals are responsible for this?)

Comelec color scheme

Comelec classifies election hotspots under the yellow, orange, red, and green categories.

Areas in the yellow category indicate the occurrence of suspected election-related incidents in the past two elections, along with intense partisan political rivalry, but without the involvement of local terrorist groups.

Areas in the orange category are those facing serious armed threats from communist terrorist groups and other rebel factions.

Under the red category, areas are identified with one or more factors from the yellow and orange categories. When these areas fall under the Comelec’s control, the commission assumes direct supervision over officials and employees, as well as full control over law enforcement agencies.

Those under the green category are areas that are relatively peaceful and orderly.

At least 36 areas were placed under the red category, as of 19 March.

On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed seven cops were tagged as persons of interest in the shooting of Albuera mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa.

PNP spokesperson P/BGen. Jean Fajardo said these seven cops are currently under police custody and are being investigated for possible involvement in the shooting of Espinosa.

Citing initial investigations, Fajardo said these police officers were found inside a compound where the suspected getaway vehicle had entered during a hot pursuit operation.

“Nagsagawa po tayo ng pursuit operation dahil may isa po tayong motor vehicle in interest, isa pong Montero, na diumano umalis po kaagad doon sa site noong mangyari po yung insidente,” Fajardo said.

(We conducted a pursuit operation because there was a vehicle of interest — a Montero — that allegedly left the scene immediately after the incident occurred)

She noted that the vehicle was immediately followed, and upon entering the compound, these seven police officers, who are assigned at Ormoc City Police Station, were found at the scene wearing civilian clothing.

Two vehicles were found inside the compound, and several firearms were discovered inside them.

Espinosa, who is running for mayor of Albuera town, was shot while campaigning around 4:30 PM Thursday, 10 April, 2025.

The mayoral candidate was waiting for his turn to speak when an unidentified gunman hiding in the ceiling of the stage fired a shot from behind.

Aside from Espinosa, his sister, Mariel Espinosa Marinay, who is running for vice mayor, as well as a minor from Barangay Tangas, were also injured in the shooting incident.