Shooting during Abra mayoral campaign leaves one dead, one injured

A shooting incident between groups supporting mayoral candidate Kathlia Cariño Alcantara and municipal councilor Walter Tugadi left one person dead and another injured in Tayum town, Abra on Monday, April 21.

Jay-ar Tanura, 27, was killed while Jordan Calaustro Barcena suffered gunshot wounds but is now stable in the hospital.

Tayum Municipal Police responded to a phone call reporting the shooting at Sitio Agbuhay around 4 p.m., and intercepted a black Ford Ranger driven by Jomel Barbieto Molina, confiscating firearms and ammunition.

Witnesses said that Barangay Budac chairman Ryan Luna and Raffy Tejero fired the first shots at Tugadi's convoy during Alcantara's campaign, prompting an alert from local authorities who are expecting such incidents due to upcoming elections in Abra.

Police found shell casings from calibre .45 and 5.56 mm firearms at the scene and discovered bullet holes on vehicles linked to both sides involved in the incident.

The vehicle used by the gunmen, a black Ford Ranger with plate number AAE 7239, was identified as being involved in several shooting and harassment incidents previously.