SHOOT OUT in Abra: 1 dead, 1 injured after two political groups in Tayum exchanged bullets

Tayum, Abra—A politically charged shootout in Tayum, Abra, left one man dead and another injured on Monday, April 21, in yet another election-related violence in the province. 

According to police reports obtained by a local media, the shootout occurred in Sitio Agbuhay, Barangay Budac, Tayum, after unidentified gunmen ambushed the convoy of Tayum mayoral candidate Kathlia Alcantara. 

Bodyguards of the politician exchanged fire with the assailants who were onboard a black Ford Ranger with plate number AAE 7239. The vehicle is claimed to have been previously linked to similar threats and attacks in the province. 

As a result of the shootout, one of the suspects was killed while another was injured. The casualty was identified by the police as Jay-Ar Tanura, a known supporter of Tayum councilor and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Walter Tugadi. The injured, meanwhile, was Jordan Barcena, also affiliated with Tugadi Camp. 

Fortunately, no one on the side of the mayoral candidate was hurt. The police report further disclosed that the said vehicle (a black Ford Ranger) was later intercepted by authorities. The driver, identified as Jomel Molina, was arrested. Officers recovered two .45 caliber pistols from the vehicle, one believed to have been used by Tanura. 

In another report, Budac Barangay Captain Ryan Luna, who had been campaigning with Alcantara, was also taken into custody after police found a white pickup truck with a bullet hole parked at his compound in Bangued. Police said that Luna was involved in the ambush. 

As of this writing, authorities are continuing their investigation regarding the incident.