Manila, April 15 -- The seven police officers tagged as persons of interest in the shooting of self-confessed drug lord and Albuera, Leyte mayoralty bet Kerwin Espinosa are facing charges for carrying loose firearms in violation of the election gun ban.

Leyte police provincial director Col. Dionisio Apas said only five of the 14 firearms they voluntarily surrendered were officially issued, one was owned by a civilian, and eight were loose.

"Based on these findings, complaints have been filed against seven individuals for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the election gun ban. These charges were filed because some of the firearms were unregistered, and others were carried without the required perm...