Poll chief: Espinosa attack not cause to place Albuera under ‘red’ tag

Commission on Elections Chair George Erwin Garcia. Inquirer photo/Jesus Niño Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — There was no need to place the Leyte town of Albuera in the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) “red” category after confessed drug lord and mayoral candidate Kerwin Espinosa was shot by an unidentified assailant.

This was according to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia at a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday.

The “red” category in the poll body’s classification for areas of concern indicates areas with serious armed threats and a history of election-related incidents.

“So far naman, mukhang hindi kinakailangan magtaas ng classification doon sa lugar. Base sa imbestigasyon ng PNP (Philippine National Police), mayroon na silang napunto na maaaring responsible dito,” Garcia said.

(So far, it seems unnecessary to raise the classification in that place. Based on the PNP’s investigation, they’ve already pointed to those possibly responsible.)

“Sa amin, in the meantime, sapat na muna iyon. Bakit natin guguluhin yung kabuuan ng buong siyudad o bayan kung hindi naman pala apektado at mayroon lamang iilan na responsible dito?” the poll body chief added.

(For us, in the meantime, that suffices. Why would we interfere with the whole city or town if there’s only a few responsible for it?)

Earlier on Friday, the PNP said seven Ormoc City police officers were tagged as persons of interest in Espinosa’s shooting.

READ: 7 cops tagged as persons of interest in Espinosa attack

This was after a sports utility vehicle fled the scene right after the shooting and led police to a compound where they found the officers in civilian clothing.

Espinosa was shot at a campaign event on Thursday afternoon, the police said.

He was released from the hospital on Friday, Police Regional Office 8 confirmed.