Fistfight to gunfight: Brgy. Captain and councilor-aspirant shot dead in Abra

Abra, Philippines – A night of campaigning in Lagangilang, Abra on Monday turned tragic, claiming the lives of two men – a barangay captain and a councilor-aspirant.

Initial reports of the authorities revealed that a group of political candidates vying for the May 2025 polls was having their campaign in Barangay Nagtupacan, Lagangilang on April 7. However, the event was disrupted when the team noticed Kagawad Rommel Apolinar, who is said to be a supporter of the other party near the area.

This led Manzano Bersalona Agdalpen Jr., a Sangguniang Bayan candidate, to approach Apolinar and allegedly punch him in the face.  Due to the incident, Apolinar ran to Barangay Captain Louie Salvador Claro and told him what had just happened.

As a response to what he had been told, Claro, 57, went to the place of the incident to check on the situation. However, Agdalpen, 58, reportedly attacked Apolinar once again, and this time, the latter punched back.

The fight went out of control when Agdalpen allegedly pushed Claro and pulled his gun and shot him. Moments later, Agdalpen joined Claro on the ground after he was shot by a yet-to-be-identified shooter.

Both men were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.