Kerwin Espinosa surrenders after court issues murder warrant

TACLOBAN CITY — Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolan Kerwin Espinosa surrendered to authorities on Thursday morning after a court issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with a murder case.

The warrant was issued on Wednesday by Branch 14 of the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City, presided over by Judge Merlo Pasco Bagano. The court ordered Espinosa’s arrest along with four other accused and recommended no bail.

Espinosa’s co-accused were identified as Ronald Danieles Bulak, Eddie Mar Mitra, Marcelo Adorco, and a person identified only as alias Ronel.

The mayor had not been seen at the Albuera municipal building since the last week of January. In previous Facebook live videos, Espinosa said he was limiting public appearances due to security concerns.

He said he kept his whereabouts known only to a few trusted individuals to avoid a repeat of what happened to his father, former Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was killed while in detention at the Baybay City Provincial Jail on 5 November 2016.

Supporters of Espinosa have claimed that the case filed against him is politically motivated.

Espinosa said he had filed a leave of absence and designated his sister, Vice Mayor Mariel Marinay, as acting mayor.