Mayor Espinosa asks son, Kerwin, to submit himself to police like what he did.
Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa made an appeal to his son, Kerwin, to surrender himself to the authorities because he finds the current situation very difficult for him.
The local chief executive had previously surrendered to Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Tuesday morning after the president issued a shoot on sight order against him and his son, Kerwin Espinosa, on the grounds of drug trafficking and coddling a drug lord.
Espinosa told his son, through the media, that it is better to surrender peacefully and he made a guarantee that they shall be facilitated by the president and Dela Rosa.
The mayor made his appeal after giving his sworn statement to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
“Dong kung makita ko nimo karon sa tv…nag antos kog maayo. Surrender nalang ta. Surrender nalang. Kay total, tabangan ta sa atong presidente og sa atoang chief of staff General Ronald dela rosa. Akong pasalig, mu surrender ka tabangan ka nila, he said.
He also said he does not know whether Kerwin is in the country or abroad as he cannot be contacted.
2 PM on Wednesday Mayor Espinosa , with his family and lawyer, Atty. Romeo Esmero, arrived at the CIDG headquarters. He signed an affidavit of undertaking to make his surrender official. The affidavit can be used against him in filing a case.
The mayor also signed a document regarding all his knowledge, links and know-hows in the operation of illegal drugs. The document will be submitted by PNP CIDG to Chief Dela Rosa on Thursday.
Dela Rosa earlier said they cannot arrest the elder Espinosa since they do not have a warrant of arrest but he said the mayor pledged to support the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Espinosa Sr. also said he is “100 percent willing” to cooperate with the government’s initiatives and would fight drugs in his municipality.