Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, February 5, following the issuance of an arrest warrant for murder.
The warrant was issued Wednesday by the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 against Espinosa and four other individuals. No bail was recommended for the accused.
In a statement released shortly after his surrender, Espinosa maintained that he was not in hiding, despite having been absent from public view in his municipality since January 20. He explained that his recent absence was a security precaution.
“We will not wait for them to serve the warrant,” Espinosa said. “As what I have said, I will face the warrant of arrest.”
The murder charges reportedly stem from an indictment in September 2024 related to an incident in Baybay City.
Espinosa’s legal camp stated they are still awaiting full details regarding the specific background of the case but characterized the charges as a “tactic” by political opponents to disrupt his administration.
Espinosa, who won the mayoral seat in May 2024, assured his constituents that local government operations and infrastructure projects—including the construction of a municipal hospital—would continue without interruption.
His sister, Vice Mayor Mariel Espinosa, will take charge of the municipality’s daily operations during his detention.
The mayor requested prayers for his safety, citing concerns similar to those involving his father, the late Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who was killed while in police custody in 2016.
Espinosa remains in NBI custody as legal proceedings move forward.