Kerwin Espinosa wounded in Leyte shooting incident

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.  Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, who is currently running for mayor of Albuera, Leyte, was shot while in a meeting with leaders in Barangay Tinag-an in Albuera town Thursday.

According to the police, Espinosa was waiting for his turn to speak when an unidentified gunman hiding in the ceiling of the stage shot the victim from behind.

Aside from Espinosa, a minor of Barangay Tangas, as well as Mariel Espinosa Marinay, who is running for vice mayor, were also wounded in the incident.

The victims were rushed to the hospital by Espinosa's close-in security for medical attention.

Albuera police have also set up checkpoints, while a hot pursuit operation was conducted.

In a statement, Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia condemned the incident, adding that the perpetrators should be brought to justice immediately.

"Any act of violence should be condemned by anyone. The perpetrators must be unmasked and brought to justice immediately. Election is never about  killing but is instead  the giving of life to our democracy. Ballots not bullets is the answer to our problems," he added.