Mayor in Rizal, Cagayan shot dead during campaign; gunmen at large

Rizal, Cagayan - Authorities launched a hot pursuit operation to catch the gunmen who killed incumbent Mayor Joel A. Ruma, who was shot to death while campaigning in the town of Rizal, Cagayan.  

According to the Police Regional Police Office 2 (PRO 2), the shooting incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on April 23, 2025 when unknown gunmen suddenly opened fire, killing Mayor Ruma and injuring two others—Merson Abiguebel Ruma and Melanie Talay.  

Local reports say that the mayor was attending a campaign rally in Barangay Illuru Sur when the attack occurred. The victims were quickly taken to Tuao District Hospital, but Mayor Ruma was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. The condition of the other victims has not yet been confirmed by the authorities.  

In response to the incident, the PRO 2 set up high-risk checkpoints to monitor the roads that the attackers might use to flee. In a statement, PRO 2 Regional Director PBGEN ANTONIO P MARALLAG JR strongly condemned the crime and urged the public to cooperate with them by sharing any helpful information that could identify the suspects and bring them to justice. 

“Mariin naming kinokondena ang karahasang ito, lalo na sa panahong tayo ay naghahanda para sa mapayapang halalan 2025. Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi namin naibibigay ang hustisya para sa mga biktima. Nanawagan kami sa publiko na makipagtulungan sa imbestigasyon sa pamamagitan ng pagbabahagi ng anumang impormasyon na makatutulong sa kaso,” said the official, as quoted by the agency in News Brief.  

As of this writing, the authorities continue their in-depth investigation to determine the motive behind the killing.  

Political figures killed in Cagayan  

Following the killing of Mayor Joel Ruma, he is now the 12th known political figure to be killed in Cagayan from 1986 to 2023. 

Based on gathered info, the following politicians in the province have lost their lives due to similar violent attacks: David Puzon, former Congressman of the 2nd District of Cagayan, killed in 1986; Roberto Guimbuayan, Mayor of Tuao , killed in 1989; Leonardo Mamba, Mayor of Solana, killed in 1989; Rodolfo Aguinaldo, Congressman and former Governor of Cagayan, killed in 2001; Nathaniel Onia, Mayor of Allacapan, killed in 2006; Raul Dela Cruz, Mayor of Rizal, killed in 2008; and Aaron Sampaga, Vice Mayor of Pamplona, killed in 2006. 

Others include Alexander Pascual, former Vice Mayor of Amulung (killed in 2017); Marjorie Salazar, former Mayor of Lasam, killed in 2021; Eduardo Asutem, also former Mayor of Lasam, killed in 2021 in the same vehicle with Salazar; and Rommel Alameda , Vice Mayor of Appari in 2023, killed that year in an ambush, along with five others, in Bagabag, Nueva Viscaya. 

While the killers of some of these politicians have been identified and arrested, others remain unknown and still at large.