Violence erupts anew in Abra

WALK FOR PEACE Led by the Diocese of Bangued, residents of Abra stage an interfaith walk for peace on April 16 to call for an end to violence in the province amid the escalating tension in its localities in the run-up to the May 12 midterm elections. —Photo courtesy of Abra Police Provincial Office

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Another Abra campaign sortie turned deadly on Monday after a shooting incident in Tayum town left one man dead and another wounded, just two kilometers from the local police station.

Authorities identified the fatality as 27-year-old Jay-ar Tanura of Barangay Gaddani, while the injured, Jordan Calaustro Barcena of Barangay Budac, remained in stable condition. It was not immediately clear whether the victims were affiliated with any political camps involved in the escalating local rivalry.

This incident marked the 14th fatal shooting in Abra since Feb. 28, just a month before the official start of the local campaign period.

Police said they were alerted to gunfire at 3:40 p.m. in Sitio Agdamay, Barangay Budac. Shortly after, Tayum mayoral candidate Kathlia Cariño Alcantara personally reported that her convoy had come under fire while attending a campaign event in the area.

Responding officers from the Tayum Municipal Police and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 intercepted a black Ford Ranger driven by 21-year-old Jomel Barbieto Molina.

Molina was allegedly found carrying an unlicensed .45 caliber pistol. Another unlicensed firearm, reportedly belonging to Tanura, was discovered inside the vehicle.

Authorities said the gunfight involved the convoys of Alcantara, who was accompanied by her husband, former Bangued Mayor Ryan Luna, and that of Budac Barangay Captain Walter Tugadi. Tanura and Barcena were reportedly members of Tugadi’s group.

Recovered from the scene were spent shell casings from .45 caliber and 5.56 mm firearms. A white Toyota pickup truck believed to be part of Alcantara’s convoy was later found at Luna’s compound in Barangay Dangdangla, Bangued, with a visible bullet hole.

‘Cowardly act’

Alcantara’s camp condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” and a “desperate attempt to silence democratic voices.” Despite multiple bullet impacts on her vehicle, no injuries were reported among her team.

Representing the local political group Team Asenso, Alcantara is challenging incumbent Mayor Glen Eduarte of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

However, her candidacy faces legal hurdles. On April 8, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified Alcantara for allegedly misrepresenting her residency, claiming 43 years of residence in Tayum while reportedly living in Manila.

Comelec issued a Certificate of Finality on Monday, reaffirming its earlier decision to cancel her Certificate of Candidacy. In a Facebook post last week, Alcantara maintained the ruling was not yet final, stating that the case was pending before the Supreme Court.

Factions

The political landscape in Abra remains volatile as two dominant factions—Team Asenso and Team Progreso—vie for control of at least 20 of the province’s 27 municipalities.

Team Progreso is led by La Paz Mayor Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos, a congressional candidate, is backed by former governor Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin and his niece, Anne Bersamin. Takit is the brother of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and of the late Rep. Luis “Chito” Bersamin, who was assassinated in 2006. Anne, running for vice governor, is Chito’s daughter.

Their main rivals include reelectionist Vice Gov. Jocelyn “Joy” Valera-Bernos and her son, Bangued Vice Mayor Kiko Bernos, who is running for governor. Joy is the widow of the late Marc Ysrael Bernos, JB’s brother, who was also killed in 2006. Their father, Gov. Dominic Valera, is running for mayor of Bangued, while his wife, Mila Valera, is challenging JB for the province’s lone congressional seat.

Team Asenso currently holds four mayoral posts, with two incumbents seeking reelection. Team Progreso is fielding over 20 candidates—nine under Lakas-CMD, six with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), one from the Nacionalista Party, and five running unopposed.

Authorities continued to investigate Monday’s Tayum shooting and were calling on the public to help ensure peaceful and orderly elections.

The latest gunfight followed a deadly shooting on April 7 in Lagangilang town, where a barangay captain and a municipal councilor candidate were killed during a campaign event also organized by Team Asenso.