Kerwin Espinosa's lawyer shot dead in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — The lawyer of confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa was shot dead at noon on Monday, after he attended his client's hearing.

 

Lawyer Jan Ungab, who is also the vice mayor of the Municipality of Ronda, was declared dead at 2:00 p.m. following an ambush by two unidentified gunmen, Superintendent Artemio Ricabo, deputy city director for administration, said.

 

On Monday morning, Ungab attended the court promulgation of Espinosa's case, at the Cebu Hall of Justice.

 

Espinosa was convicted for violation of the gun ban under Omnibus Election Code in 2010 was acquitted of illegal possession of firearms.

 

Ungab was driving his car when two men on a motorcycle shot at his vehicle in front of a hotel in Pier 4 in Cebu City.

 

Espinosa is facing separate charges of illegal drug trading and possession of illegal firearms and explosives before the Manila Regional Trial Court.

 

His father, Albuera City Mayor Rolando Espinosa, was killed by police in a supposed shootout inside the Baybay City sub-provincial jail in 2016. The National Bureau of Investigation said the incident was a "rub out" and recommended murder charges against police officers involved. The case has been downgraded to homicide.

 

Rogelio Bato Jr., Espinosa family lawyer, was ambushed in August 2016.

 

The two Espinosas were among the first publicly accused by President Rodrigo Duterte as being biggest drug lords in the Visayas. — with reports from The Freeman