1 dead in shootout involving Abra candidates

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Gunmen ambush the campaign convoy of Lia Cariño Alcantara, candidate for mayor of Tayum, Abra, says the Asenso Abra party

BAGUIO, Philippines – One person was shot dead and another wounded in another politically-motivated violent incident last Monday, April 21, in Abra province. 

Jay-Ar Tanura, said to be a supporter of Tayum councilor Walter Tugadi, was reportedly killed by police. Jordan Claustro Barcena, also with the Tugadi group, got wounded and was rushed to the hospital.

The groups of Tugadi, the ABC president of the town, and Kathlia Carino Alcantara, who is running for mayor in Tayum, reportedly had a shootout on Monday afternoon at Sitio Agbuhay, Budac, Tayum.

It was Alcantara, who belongs to the Asenso Abra party, who reported the incident to the police, saying that they were the ones strafed. 

“Earlier this afternoon (April 21, 2025), the campaign convoy of Asenso mayoralty candidate in Tayum, Abra, [Kath]Lia Cariño Alcantara, was ambushed by several gunmen while plying Tayum,” the Asenso statement said.

“Fortunately, none of the passengers in the convoy were shot. However, the vehicle carrying Lia sustained multiple bullet marks in different parts, including the windshield,” it added.

The Asenso Abra party said the vehicle which had been identified in several shooting and harassment incidents — a black Ford Ranger with plate number AAE 7239 — was the same one used by the gunmen.

The police spotted the vehicle and intercepted it. Driving it was Jomel Barbieto Molina and found in the pick-up were two caliber .45 pistols, one said to have been used by Tanura. 

In another report, police apprehended Budac Barangay Captain Ryan Luna after a white pickup, said to have been spotted in the area of the shooting, was found in his compound in Bangued with a bullet hole on the side. 

Luna was campaigning with Alcantara and police said he was involved in the shooting. – Rappler.com