Kerwin Espinosa turns over loose firearms to Albuera police

TACLOBAN CITY — Albuera Mayor Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa has surrendered his loose firearms to the local police, saying he complied with the directive to demonstrate his commitment to following the law.

Espinosa said he turned over the firearms without hesitation after police authorities called for the surrender of loose firearms.

“We can see that I have surrendered the loose firearms to the police because that is the directive they are implementing. Without hesitation, I complied with the law to prove that I am sincerely a law-abiding citizen now,” Espinosa said in a statement posted on his social media account on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said he would retain his licensed firearm, which he described as necessary for his personal protection.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“I will keep the firearm that is licensed as protection for myself against people who may have bad intentions toward my life, especially now that I have become the father of the town of Albuera,” he said.

Espinosa did not disclose the number or types of firearms he surrendered to the police.

The turnover comes amid heightened police efforts to account for loose firearms and ensure compliance with firearm licensing and registration requirements following recent shooting incidents involving students in which minors were reportedly found to have used government-owned firearms.

Espinosa has previously been linked to allegations involving the illegal drug trade, which he has denied. He has also faced legal proceedings arising from such allegations.

As mayor, Espinosa said his decision to surrender the loose firearms was intended to show his willingness to comply with authorities and uphold the law. /das