Supporters of Abra Congressional candidate attacked; 6 killed, 3 wounded

By Ronron
May 4, 2007

Six persons, including a barangay captain, were killed while three others were wounded following in what is believed to be another politically motivated ambush that happened Friday afternoon in Abra province.

Sr. Supt. Alexander Pumecha, Abra Provincial Police Office (PPO) Director, said most of the victims were relatives while the rest are supporters of incumbent Lagayan Mayor Cecilia Luna, who is running for Congressman of Abra province.

Those killed were identified as barangay captain Romero Guyang of Barangay Bai; Eduardo Guyang, President of Lagayan Association of Barangay Captains (ABC); Felima Caleflores; Jeson Battalao; Bali Rubeo; and Darwin Sitnagen.

The wounded were identified as Lorenzo Guyang, Armenio Ayab and Roderick Guyang.

Pumecha said the victims were aboard a silver Mitsubishi Pajero (XJT-650), owned by Luna, when they were fired upon by undetermined number of armed men at around 1pm at the boundary of Barangays Bai and Pang-ot in Lagayan town.

The group were on their way back to Barangay Bai after attending a burial of Luna’s relative in Bangued town.

Pumecha said the suspects, who were armed with high-powered firearms, escaped on foot.

He described the place of incident as mountainous and remote.

“Probably, this is politically motivated. We are looking into the political aspect because those who died are supporters and relatives of the Congressional candidate (Luna),” Pumecha said in a phone interview.

In a television interview, Luna said she was lucky that she did not ride the Pajero because she believes she is really the target of the gunmen.

Asked who could be behind the incident, she said: “It would be my opponent … our Governor here (Vicente Valera) because he has long wanted me to die.”

Valera is running against Luna in the Congressional race for the lone district of Abra, and two other candidates.

Valera was the suspect in the slay of Abra Congressman Luis Bersamin in December last year in Quezon City. He is believed to be maintaining a private armed group with the discovery of firearms from his car when he was arrested later that month also in the same city.

Supt. Joseph Adnol, spokesman of the Cordillera Region Police, said the suspects were pursed by members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, the 1601st Police Provincial Mobile Group, and the Abra PPO.

Abra is one of the few areas placed under Comelec control due to intense political rivalries that lead to violent incidents./DMS