Philippines: Drug-linked town mayor’s six bodyguards killed in clash with police
Six bodyguards were killed in Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa's house in the Philippines early Wednesday morning. Screengrab via Youtube.
SIX armed bodyguards of a town mayor linked to the drug trade in the Philippines were shot dead in a clash with police commandos on Wednesday morning in a continuing crackdown that has left more than 400 suspected drug criminals dead.
Regional police chief Elmer Beltejar said police were on patrol early Wednesday near the house of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. in the central town of Albuera when they were fired upon by the mayor’s bodyguards.
The police fired back, killing six bodyguards and seizing at least 17 firearms and rifle grenades inside the compound.
The clash comes a day after Espinosa surrendered to national police chief Ronald dela Rosa.
Previously, the Philippine National Police tagged the mayor and his son as illegal drug manufacturers and traffickers.
Authorities accused Espinosa of being a drug protector; his son Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr., an alleged drug lord, has yet to surrender.
An exchange of gunfire ensued when one of the two armed men guarding the gate allegedly fired at the policemen.
Kerwin’s two bodyguards were among those who were involved in the shootout with police. Kerwin has been dubbed his father’s partner-in-crime and the mayoral successor.
According to the Philippine Inquirer, the police said that the gunmen at the mayor’s house “were using branded high-powered firearms” during their standoff with authorities.
They also estimated more than 50 to 100 armed men inside the residence.
Since his surrender, Espinosa admitted that he and Kerwin have been manufacturing and trafficking shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) from their base in Albuera town, Leyte, the Inquirer reported.
Additional reporting from the Associated Press
