Leyte: The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) has urged the public to avoid speculating on the recent shooting of self-confessed drug lord and Albuera mayoralty candidate Kerwin Espinosa.

According to Philippines News Agency, LPPO director Col. Dionisio Apas, Jr. emphasized that they are currently investigating the April 10 incident involving Espinosa, who was shot and injured while campaigning in Barangay Tinag-an. Apas stated, "We call on the public to support the investigation by avoiding speculation that could hinder the process. Community cooperation and vigilance are vital in ensuring accountability and transparency throughout the proceedings."

Supporters of Espinosa have suggested that the shooting may be politically motivated, pointing out that his opponent in the mayoral race, Vince Rama, is related by marriage to Lucy Torres-Gomez, the wife of Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez. The mayoral race is a three-way contest, with incumbent Mayor Sixto Dela Victoria also seeking reelection.

Espinosa has thrown his support behind Vicente Veloso III, a former Court of Appeals Associate Justice and a rival of the reelectionist Gomez. Espinosa expressed concerns over the presence of seven Ormoc City police officers inside a compound where the suspect fled after the shooting, while Gomez dismissed these allegations as false.

Gomez clarified that there was no hot pursuit as claimed by Espinosa and that Albuera police officers had intruded into a private beach resort where the Ormoc City officers were dining. Furthermore, Espinosa questioned why the seven Ormoc officers were not subjected to inquest proceedings on April 11.

Col. Apas explained that the seven officers were not eligible for inquest proceedings due to a lack of direct evidence and eyewitnesses placing them at the crime scene. Meanwhile, the results of the forensic examinations related to the shooting are expected to be released on Monday.