BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
Two men were killed in separate shooting incidents in the province of Abra over the weekend, raising fresh concerns about election-related violence just days before the 2025 midterm polls.
The first incident took place on May 3 in Barangay Bangbangar, Bangued, where 58-year-old tricycle driver Manuel Garcia Bonete Sr. was gunned down by unidentified assailants while on his way to pick up passengers.
“He was being followed by the suspect. When they reached Bangbangar, that’s when the suspect shot our victim,” said Police Lt. Col. Daniel Pel-ey, spokesperson of the Abra Police Provincial Office.
Bonete was declared dead on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities are still working to identify the perpetrators.
“The suspect was wearing a helmet. The only descriptions we have are what the witness saw from his clothing and the color of the motorcycle,” Pel-ey added.
In a separate incident, another man, identified as Constantino Nadarisay Jr., was killed around midnight on Friday, May 2.
According to the police investigation, Nadarisay had just come from a drinking session and was on his way home when he was ambushed by a riding-in-tandem.
Both Bonete and Nadarisay were reportedly supporters of the local political group Team Asenso Abreño.
In a statement, the group condemned the senseless killings, calling them a tragedy rooted in political conflict.
“Political differences should be resolved through the ballot, not through bloodshed,” the group said, as they offered a 500,000 pesos reward to anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the gunmen responsible for the deaths of Nadarisay and Bonete.
Authorities are still determining whether these incidents are election-related.
To maintain peace and order, the Abra Police Provincial Office has intensified security operations across the province.
This comes as election-related incidents (ERIs) in the Cordillera region have risen to 11.
“At the regional command level, we’ve identified five ERIs. But the national headquarters has added six more to the list, bringing the total to 11,” said Police Brig. Gen. David Peredo Jr., regional director of Police Regional Office-Cordillera.
To strengthen security, a total of 634 police personnel have been deployed to Abra in preparation for the elections.
On May 2, 240 officers from various provincial and regional units were sent to Abra.
By May 5, an additional 50 officers had been added.
The police augmentation force includes 60 members from the Special Action Force, 285 from Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, and 240 from other units within the region.
Another 49 officers from provincial offices have also been deployed.
Abra is the only province in the region to receive such a significant police augmentation ahead of the elections.
Gen. Peredo assured the public of their readiness: “Let your presence bring assurance to the voting public and serve as a deterrent to any attempts of disrupting the peace and the election.”
Police have also stepped up implementation of the election gun ban.
On the morning of May 5, a man was arrested in Barangay Gaddani, Tayum after a caliber .45 pistol and six rounds of ammunition were found in his motorcycle.
On May 3, another man was caught in Barangay Macray, Bangued with a .45 caliber pistol and a magazine.
In Manabo town, a third suspect was apprehended with a .45 caliber firearm and seven bullets.
According to the Abra Police Provincial Office, at least 30 individuals have been arrested for violating the election gun ban since the campaign period began.
Authorities vow to remain on full alert and ensure the safety of voters in the lead-up to the elections.
