Businessman killed, wife wounded in new shooting incident in Abra; Suspects captured

Manabo, Abra – A businessman was killed while his wife was severely wounded in a shooting incident that transpired in broad daylight on September 3, 2024.

The couple was identified as Rodel Bermudez and Zoraida Bermudez, residents of Barangay Patoc, Bucay, Abra.

Witnesses revealed that two men who were on board a black motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of the rice store of the couple around 1 p.m. on said date.

The backrider alighted from the vehicle and pretended to be a customer at first. When he was already inside the store, it was then that he fired multiple shots at the husband and wife.

After shooting the couple, they fled from the scene using their motorcycle and headed to Bucay, Abra.

Police who immediately responded to the incident rushed the victims to the hospital but the husband was pronounced dead on arrival. The wife, meantime, is currently recuperating at said medical facility.

Meantime, a hot pursuit operation was immediately launched and Manabo police likewise alerted nearby police offices.

At a checkpoint along the boundary of Manabo and Bucay, a pick-up vehicle and a motorcycle were flagged down by Bucay police as the description of the vehicles matched what was echoed by the Manabo police.

The suspects were found on board of the vehicle which is owned by a municipal councilor in Manabo.

The councilor, in a statement to local media in the area, said he only let the two suspects ride on his pick-up as per their request since he was then headed to Bangued.

The councilor added he let them sat inside his vehicle as it was raining that time. His minor son sat beside the two suspects, as per description of the authorities.

Seized from said suspects were a caliber 45 Colt inserted with magazine containing seven live ammo, one Caliber 45 Para Colt inserted with a magazine containing seven live ammo, one caliber 45 Colt M1911 Colt inserted with a magazine containing seven live ammo, and a P12 Pistol Caliber 380 Colt inserted with a magazine containing seven live ammo for the same caliber inserted with eight live ammo for the same caliber.

Police are still conducting thorough investigation to determine the connections of the suspects while charges are being prepared against them. The motive of the crime, meantime, is yet to be known.

This is now the third shooting incident that transpired in Abra for this month.