02 August 2016•Update: 02 August 2016
By Roy Ramos
ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines
The day after the Philippines president gave a mayor suspected of involvement in illegal drugs just 24 hours to turn himself in or be "shot on sight", he has surrendered to authorities.
The mayor of Albuera town in the central province of Leyte was one of at least 23 mayors President Rodrigo Duterte has claimed are involved in the drug trade, or were protecting drug rings.
In a text message to reporters Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said Rolando Espinosa Sr. had surrendered, but his son Kerwin, who was also included in the shoot on sight order, remains at large.
Espinosa was placed under the custody of Philippine National Police Chief Director General Rolando "Bato" de la Rosa.
The order followed the arrest of two of Espinosa’s bodyguards and three of his employees during a drug bust July 28 near his and his son's houses.
Police recovered at least P1.9 million ($40,390) worth of suspected meth during the operation.
Duterte said that prior to taking his presidential oath in June, he had received reports that at least 35 mayors from across the archipelago were involved in the trade in illegal drugs.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno later said the figure was revised to 23 as the president continues validating the list, Philstar reported.
According to figures from the Philippine Daily Inquirer's "Kill List" -- which keeps track of drug suspects killed nationwide -- 436 have been killed from June 30 -- Duterte's first day of office -- to Aug. 1
