(Eagle News) — Albuera Leyte town Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade, has surrendered to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, beating the 24-hour deadline issued to him by the President.
He also confirmed that his son, Kerwin, who remains at large, is a drug lord.
Mayor Espinosa surrendered after President Duterte issued a “shoot on sight” order if he and his son would resist arrest.
On Monday (Aug 1), Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella announced that the President has demanded the surrender of the father and son on the grounds of drug trafficking and coddling.
They were given 24 hours or risk being shot.
The Albuera town mayor has gone on leave since about two weeks ago,
Last week, two of Espinosa’s body guards and his three employees were arrested during a buy-bust operation at the tennis court near the houses of the mayor and his son at Sitio Tinago, in the village of Benoldo, Albuera.
After Espinosa surrendered, PNP chief Director General Dela Rosa presented the mayor in a press conference.
The mayor is suspected to be the protector of his son, Kerwin, who is allegedly running the illegal drug operations in Eastern Visayas.
During the presscon, Mayor Espinosa himself confessed that his son was a drug lord.
He said Kerwin gets his drug supply from Peter Co who is currently detained at the National Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City, and from another drug lord operating in Abuyog, Leyte.
The mayor also revealed that his son had undergone plastic surgery and that he does not know where he is hiding. But he promised to give photos of his son after the surgery to help police in tracking him down.
Mayor Espinosa also pledged support for the anti-illegal drug campaign of the government. PNP chief Director General Dela Rosa said more names of local chief executives who are involved in the illegal drug operations would be revealed soon by the President.