Poll violence escalates in Abra
BAGUIO CITY—Election-related violence in Abra is intensifying as the midterm elections approach, with two separate shootings on Wednesday resulting in the death of a candidate for municipal councilor and the injury of a former village chief.
At 5:10 p.m., Melchor Gatmen, a candidate for councilor in Pilar town, was shot by an unidentified gunman while riding his motorcycle in Barangay Dintan, Pilar. A resident of Barangay Pang-ot, Gatmen sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. His passenger was unharmed.
An hour later, in Bangued town, Ruben Balubar, the former village chief of Lubong, was also targeted while driving his motorcycle through Barangay Agtangao. An unidentified assailant shot him in the leg. Balubar was treated at a local hospital. Police recovered several .45-caliber bullet casings from the crime scene.
These incidents follow a deadly ambush on Feb. 28, when gunmen attacked the convoy of Pidigan mayoral candidate Artemio “Billy Boy” Donato Jr. in Sitio Palicad, Barangay Poblacion, also in Pilar.
Police said the ambush killed Kevin Bueno, the driver, and Froilan Bueno, the barangay chair of Quillat, Langiden town. Another passenger, Sonny Bueno, was injured. Donato, who is challenging incumbent Councilor Robby “Obay” Valera, was unharmed.
The escalating violence in Abra has placed several towns under heightened security monitoring.
On March 5, the Cordillera Regional Joint Security Command Center classified Pilar, Bangued and Bucay as “orange zones,” indicating areas with intense political rivalry and multiple election-related violent incidents.
Six other municipalities—Lagangilang, Lagayan, Pidigan, Tayum, Dolores and Tineg—are classified as “yellow zones” due to ongoing political tensions and previous election-related violence.
Lawyer Julius Torres, director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cordillera, warned that continued violence could lead to these areas being elevated to “red zones,” signifying the highest level of election-related security concerns.
The May elections in Abra highlight the intense rivalry between Team Progreso, led by the Bernos-Bersamin alliance, and Team Asenso, representing the Valera-Bernos-Luna faction.
Prominent rivalries
High-stakes races include the gubernatorial contest between former Gov. Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin and Bangued Vice Mayor Joaquin “Kiko” Bernos.
The congressional seat is contested by La Paz Mayor JB Bernos and his grandmother, Bangued Mayor Mila Valera.
Election-related violence is not new to Abra. The province has a long history of politically motivated attacks.
In 2022, Pilar was placed under Comelec control after a deadly shootout involving then vice mayor Jaja Josefina Somera-Disono’s staff.
In 2016, Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin was assassinated in Quezon City. In 2005, an Inquirer investigation revealed the presence of private armies linked to political families, which led to a province-wide reassignment of police forces.
Despite past peace efforts, including a 2012 agreement mediated by then Cordillera police chief and now Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, violence has continued.
Recent incidents included the September 2024 ambush attempt on Pidigan Vice Mayor Noel Menor Bisares and the August 2024 attack on former Barangay Captain Marcelino Banayos.
Abra, with its 188,957 registered voters across 27 towns, remains under close monitoring by Comelec as election day draws near.
Authorities continue to investigate the recent attacks while maintaining increased security in identified election hot spots. —WITH A REPORT FROM VINCENT CABREZA
