Kerwin Espinosa, who has been linked to the illegal drug trade, attends a House Quad-Committee hearing on the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, Oct. 11, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Mayoral candidate and alleged former drug lord Kerwin Espinosa said Friday he would not cower in fear after he was injured in a shooting incident while campaigning. 

The attack happened on Thursday while Espinosa was waiting for his turn to speak at a campaign rally in Albuera, Leyte. Photos on social media showed Espinosa bleeding from a wound near his right shoulder after the shooting.

Kerwin Espinosa wounded in Leyte shooting incident

“We will continue with our goals. We will not cower in fear,” Espinosa said in Bisaya during a Facebook livestream from what appeared to be his hospital bed.

(Padayon gihapon kita sa atuangong og tinguha. Dili kita magpadala sa kahadlok, nahitabo kini kanako ka tungod.)

“This happened because they do not want me to serve as mayor of Albuera because their businesses would be affected,” he added without naming anyone.

(Dili sila gusto nga akoy molingkod isip mayor sa Albuera kay maapektahan man gyud ang ilang mga negosyo.)

Initial police reports said the unidentified gunman hid in the ceiling of the stage and shot Espinosa from behind.

His sister, vice mayoral candidate Mariel Espinosa Marinay, and a minor were also wounded in the incident.

Police set up checkpoints and launched a hot pursuit operation after the shooting.

But no suspect has been identified as of posting.  

The previous administration had accused Espinosa of controlling the narcotics trade in Albuera.

Lalaking umano'y tauhan ni Kerwin Espinosa, patay nang 'manlaban'

In 2016, his father Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa was shot dead inside his jail cell after allegedly firing at officers during a search for illegal firearms.

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