Palace: Leyte town mayor accused of drug links has surrendered

MANILA, Philippines –  The Palace on Tuesday confirmed that Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. has surrendered ahead of the 24-hour deadline that President Rodrigo Duterte gave him and his son over allegations of involvement in illegal drugs.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has the elder Espinosa in his custody.  Espinosa's son Kerwin is still at large.

On Monday, Duterte gave the town mayor and his son a day to surrender and threatened to issue “shoot on sight” order against them after accusing the two of drug trafficking and coddling drug traffickers.

Duterte ordered Espinosa’s surrender three days after two of the mayor’s security aides and three companions were caught with illegal drugs in an operation in Barangay Benolho in Albuera town. Police recovered 200 grams of shabu, two pistols and live ammunition from the suspects. 

Meanwhile, the PNP spokesperson, Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, clarified that Espinosa Sr. is not being held in Camp Crame. —With reports from Alexis Romero

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