Council bet, village chief in Abra killed at campaign rally
BAGUIO CITY—The death toll from gun attacks in Abra continues to rise barely a month before the midterm elections, following the shooting of a village chief and a candidate for municipal councilor during a campaign rally at Barangay Nagtupacan in Lagangilang town on Monday night.
Reports from the Abra provincial police identified the victims as Barangay Chair Lou Claro, 57, and Manzano Agdalpen Jr., 58, who was running for councilor.
During a campaign event hosted by the local political group “Team Asenso,” tensions rose when Agdalpen punched a man identified as Rommel Apolinar, who then ran toward Claro who tried to intervene. Claro was a retired policeman affiliated with rival group “Team Progreso.”
Agdalpen reportedly pursued Apolinar, striking him again. Amid the commotion, Agdalpen pushed Claro, pulled out a firearm, and shot him several times. An unidentified gunman then shot Agdalpen.
Emergency responders took Claro to Seares Memorial Hospital and Agdalpen to Abra Provincial Hospital, both in the capital town of Bangued, but doctors failed to save them.
Police said one Joselito Ayup Orilla and three unidentified individuals were among those who opened fire during the melee.
The deaths of Claro and Agdalpen brought the number of shooting-related fatalities in Abra to 11 since Feb. 28.
Peace pact
Gun attacks have persisted in Abra despite a March 31 special session convened by the Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to address the rising violence in the province.
The meeting brought together political rivals, independent candidates, Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials, and civil society groups to promote a peaceful conduct in the run-up to the May 12 elections.
On the same day as the RPOC meeting, Mark Angelo Vibas was shot dead at a birthday party in Barangay Patucannay, Tayum.
More violence followed: on April 2, Dave Guzman Millare was wounded in a shooting in Barangay Pacac, Dolores town; on April 4, a grenade was thrown into the property of Barangay Captain Loreto Laureta in Barangay Bangbangar, Bangued; and on April 5, Dhemaison Libeng was shot and killed in Barangay Gaddani, Tayum.
Authorities continue to investigate the incidents amid growing concerns over escalating political violence in the province.
