Ormoc City police chief Col. Reydante Ariza was relieved from his post amid an investigation into the shooting of Albuera, Leyte mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa.
Ariza’s relief followed the detention of seven Ormoc-based cops who are now considered persons of interest in the crime, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said.
Col. Dennis Jose Llavore was designated officer-in-charge.
Espinosa was shot in the right shoulder by an unidentified assailant around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday while attending a campaign event.
He has denied allegations that the shooting incident, which also injured Espinosa’s sister and a minor, was self-inflicted.
“Why would I shoot myself in the chest and use a double-action bullet? You can see the big puncture on my arm. Why would I stage hurting myself?” Espinosa said.
However, Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez insisted the slay attempt was an “ambush me” scheme.
“Do not believe somebody like him who has no credibility and is a self-confessed drug lord,” Gomez said.
“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.