MANILA – Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa on Thursday surrendered to the Cebu office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the issuance of an arrest warrant for murder.

NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari confirmed that Espinosa surrendered after Judge Merlo Pasco Bagano of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 issued on February 4 an arrest warrant against him and four others.

Espinosa’s co-accused are Ronald Bulak a.k.a. “Junjun,” Eddie Mitra a.k.a. “Rico Francisco,” Marcelo Adorco a.k.a. “Loloy,” and an individual using the alias “Ronel.” No bail was recommended for their release.

In a Facebook post, Espinosa said he will face the arrest warrant and asked his constituents in Albuera for their prayers.

Espinosa and his sister, Mariel, won as mayor and vice mayor of Albuera in the 2025 elections.

The Espinosa family has long been linked to illegal drugs in Leyte, particularly during the war on drugs under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Kerwin’s father, former Mayor Ronald Sr., was killed in November 2016 while under detention at the Baybay City sub-provincial jail after police said he attempted to shoot it out with law enforcers serving a warrant of arrest.