Abra bets’ followers clash; 1 dead

CAMP VILLAMOR, Abra — This province was again rocked by violence when supporters of two mayoral candidates in Lagangilang town clashed last Saturday night, resulting in the death of one person and the wounding of two others, police said.

Police said the supporters of mayoral bet John Soliva were campaigning from house to house in Barangay Pawa when they were fired upon by followers of re-electionist Mayor Lizardo Sinogo who were on board a dumptruck.

The Soliva group returned fire, resulting in the death of Ranyfer Flores, said to be a brother of a municipal council aspirant.

Police said two followers of Sinogo, identified as Pili Cabrales and Tirso Agdacuit, were wounded.

Sinogo’s group reportedly disarmed a policeman who tried to bring one of those wounded to a hospital.

Meanwhile, a former barangay chairman of Bangued town, a certain Arturo Regalado, was seriously wounded in an ambush while he was on his way home this week.

Police said Regalado was able to drive away when his car was peppered with bullets in Barangay Sappaac, and sought refuge in a house nearby.

Abra Gov. Vicente Valera earlier bewailed the existence of private armed groups being maintained by certain politicians.

This prompted Chief Superintendent Rowland Albano, Cordillera police director, to reinforce police forces in the province.