BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON

Two supporters of a councilor candidate in Tayum, Abra were killed in an alleged ambush involving the convoy of a mayoral candidate on Monday afternoon, April 21.

A deeper investigation is now underway.

The incident occurred at around 3:00 PM in Sitio Agdamay, Barangay Budac, where the convoy of mayoral candidate Lia Alcantara was reportedly ambushed.

Video footage shared by Alcantara showed two men carrying high-caliber long firearms and a handgun.

According to Police Lt. Col. Daniel Pel-ey, spokesperson of the Abra Police Provincial Office, an encounter occurred between the group of Walter Tugade, who is running for councilor, and Alcantara’s group. “Based on Tayum MPS, Alcantara’s group allegedly fired first at Tugade’s group, prompting them to retaliate,” Pel-ey said.

One of Tugade’s supporters, Jay-ar Tanura, 27, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Another supporter, Jordan Calaustro Barcena, who was seen in the video allegedly holding a high-powered firearm, sustained injuries but also later died, according to the Abra PPO.

During the police response to the shooting, officers intercepted a black pick-up vehicle and arrested its driver, Jomel Barbieto Molina.

Authorities confiscated two caliber .45 pistols, which were reportedly owned by Tanura. Molina is now facing charges for violating the election gun ban.

No casualties were reported from Alcantara’s group.

The Tayum police are continuing their investigation and have invited both parties for questioning. “Although they’ve been informed, it’s uncertain if the meeting will happen. Still, our investigators are doing their best to identify who should be charged,” Pel-ey added.

The Abra PPO continues to implement COMELEC checkpoints across the province to prevent further election-related violence.

This is the fifth such incident reported in Abra during the current election period.