Investigators surround the body of a suspected relative of self-tagged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

DAVAO CITY - After a year in hiding, a man believed to be the brother-in-law of professed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa was killed in a police operation in Barangay Upper Piedad, Toril here Wednesday.

The suspect, Leonardo Dela Cruz, opened fire on officers who were supposed to serve him 4 warrants of arrest in his apartment unit around 10 a.m., said police station commander Chief Insp. Ronald Lao.

Dela Cruz died in the ensuing gun battle.

The arrest warrants against Dela Cruz were issued in connection to his alleged involvement in the murder of 2 cops in Albuera, Leyte, as well as supposed violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act .

Lao said Dela Cruz was Espinosa's brother-in-law and had served as their family's hitman.

Several firearms were recovered from the crime scene.



Last year, Espinosa admitted to running a drug syndicate allegedly protected by several officials and lawmen on his payroll.

He made the confession during a Senate inquiry into the death of his father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who was gunned down after allegedly fighting policemen searching his jail cell for contraband items. -- With Francis Magbanua, ABS-CBN News