Gomez: Do not believe Espinosa

CEBU CITY — Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez refuted Kerwin Espinosa's claim that the shooting incident in Albuera, Leyte was politically motivated, saying the self-confessed drug lord has no credibility and is not to be believed.

"Do not believe somebody like him who has no credibility and a self-confessed drug lord. He will not do anything good for mankind," Gomez said in a statement sent to The Manila Times on Saturday, April 12, 2025.

"I am still investigating what really transpired and once I have definitive details I will give an interview. For now, there are so many flaws to the whole story that we are watching," he added.

Gomez gave no further details but questioned Espinosa's account of the ambush, which left him, his sister Mariel Espinosa-Marinay, and a minor injured during a campaign activity in Barangay Tinag-an on Thursday.

Espinosa, who is running for mayor in his hometown Albuera in Leyte, held a press conference on Friday shortly after his release from the hospital.

He also refuted claims that the shooting was not staged or scripted and showed wounds on his chest and left arm.

"Sino naman ang mag-scripted na dito sa dibdib ko ang tama at double action pa ang bala? Nakita niyo naman na malaking butas ang aking braso. Bakit naman scripted?" he said.

(Who would stage something like this, getting shot in the chest with a double-action bullet? You've seen the big hole in my arm. Why would I fake that?)

Espinosa will go head to head with incumbent Mayor Sixto de la Victoria and Leyte Board Member Vincent Rama in the May 12, 2025 polls.

The Philippine National Police said it had placed under custody seven Ormoc-based policemen tagged as persons of interest in the shooting. Their firearms were also confiscated for forensic examination.

Espinosa also said he will file charges against the seven policemen.

Espinosa said he now fears for his life and has lost trust in the Ormoc police, except for those he described as "matino (upright)."

He also urged Gomez and his wife, Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, to look into the incident, noting that the officers involved were assigned in Ormoc.

"Lalong lalo ka na Congressman Richard Gomez, sana mabigyan mo ito ng pansin na parang hindi tama," he said.

(Especially you, Congressman Richard Gomez. I hope you look into this because something doesn't seem right)

The Leyte Police Provincial Office said it is conducting a thorough investigation and looking at all the angles.