Another aide of Kerwin Espinosa killed in Ormoc

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — One of self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa’s trusted men, Joel Aberilla, was killed by still unidentified assailants before dawn of September 26, while he was out drinking with friends at Barangay Alta Vista in Ormoc City.

The attackers of Aberilla were reportedly riding in a white Toyota Innova. His drinking companions told police that armed men alighted from the vehicle and started shooting at Aberilla.

“The victim was still able to run away from the suspects until he fell down in a short distance due to bullet wounds,” according to Chief Inspector Roger Octaviano of Ormoc City Police Station 1. Even as Aberilla was already down, the “suspects continued shooting the victim to ensure his death.”

Aberilla was reportedly ranked high in Espinosa’s organization, and was the “manager” of Zellan Hotel, a small seaside hotel owned by Kerwin, and where important transactions were said to happen.

Aberilla disappeared for a while, soon after the Espinosa drug syndicate was busted.