3 weeks ago
13
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
The series of violent incidents leaves communities in some parts of Abra shaken by a deep sense of insecurity, leading to calls for stronger measures to restore order and prevent further bloodshed
BAGUIO, Philippines – A local political watchdog has issued a plea for an end to the continuing wave of killings in Abra, as the province saw a surge in violent incidents that appear to defy efforts to restore peace.
The Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance (CCAGG) criticized authorities for what the group sees as their inability to stem the bloodshed, despite the imposition of an election gun ban by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“These incidents are particularly alarming as they occur despite the election gun ban imposed under Commission on Elections Resolution No. 11067, clearly showing the failure of authorities to implement it effectively,” read part of the CCAGG statement, dated March 30.
The watchdog also expressed dismay over the continued violence, despite the recent signing of a peace covenant among candidates.
“The fact that these crimes continue, notwithstanding the recent signing of a peace covenant, also underscores the stark irony. Our participation in the Peace Covenant and Interfaith Rally for Peace has lost its essence. Killings, harassment, intimidation, vote-buying and vote-selling continue. Such blatant disregard for peace and security measures calls into question law enforcement’s capability and commitment to upholding the rule of law. It falls short of the citizens’ high expectations of maintaining public safety and order,” it added.
The killing of 28-year-old Dhemaison Ugan Libeng on Sunday, April 6, in Gaddani, Tayum town, was the latest in a series of shootings. Lenin Benwaren’s camp, a mayoral candidate in Tineg, Abra, claimed that Libeng was one of his supporters.
“We are deeply saddened by this senseless killing as Adasen is from Tineg and is a supporter,” the group said.
Libeng’s death follows the March 25 killing of Benwaren’s driver, 58-year-old Juanito Limis Gammong.
Gammong was shot several times by an unknown assailant at his boarding house in Sitio Turod, Zone 3, Bangued. He was declared dead on arrival at the Abra Provincial Hospital.
The victim had worked for Benwaren, whose brother, Clarence, a former mayor of Tineg, was killed in a 2002 shooting in a church in Laguna.
On Friday, April 4, a grenade was thrown at the residence of a barangay chairman, Loreto Laureta, in Bangbangar, Bangued. The grenade failed to detonate, and police safely disposed of it at a nearby vacant lot.
Two days earlier, on April 2, a farmer, 34-year-old Dave Guzman Mallare, was shot three times allegedly by another fellow farmer, Alex Ola, during a wake in Pacac, Dolores town. Mallare was rushed to the hospital, and his condition remains unclear.
On April 1, 23-year-old Mark Angelo Vibas was killed by his father in Sitio Lugit, Barangay Patucannay, Tayum. Reports indicate that Vibas had been drinking with friends when his father allegedly shot him in the head. His father has since surrendered to authorities.
The same day, a 46-year-old farmer turned himself in after allegedly shooting a 34-year-old victim in Sitio Pultawi, Barangay Pacac. The victim was injured, and the farmer faces charges of frustrated homicide.
In another incident on March 27, security guard Ronnie Bolante, 42, was killed in his sleep at his home in Sitio Ram-Ramot, San Antonio, Bangued. Bolante was shot in the head by an unidentified gunman.
Dr. Francisco Beria Jr., a dentist, and Odilon Peria, a teacher at Abra National High School, were killed in an ambush on March 26 at an outdoor café in Bangued. The gunmen targeted the two, despite a broader attack on café patrons.
Earlier that day, barangay chairman Dennis Billedo of Banacao, Bangued, survived an ambush by four assailants in San Antonio. Billedo was hurt but managed to escape.
The series of violent incidents in Abra has left communities in some parts of the province shaken by a deep sense of insecurity, leading to calls for stronger measures to restore order and prevent further bloodshed. – Rappler.com
