Task Force Abra commander Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin said the killing of Rogelio Reyes, barangay captain of Barangay Isit in Dolores town, was the first in the province since the assassination of Rep. Luis Bersamin in Quezon City last Dec. 16.
Martin said they are still gathering evidence to determine whether the killing of Reyes was politically motivated.
"We are convincing witnesses to come out as we gather evidence to aid in identifying and arresting the suspects on the attacks against the Reyes family," said Martin.
Reyes sustained mutiple gunshot wounds in the body. He died on the spot. His wife, Delia, 55, was shot at the back while his son, Ronald, 23, a farmer, sustained gunshot wounds in the right arm and stomach.
Reports showed that Reyes, his wife and son were at the terrace of their house when the six suspects arrived at 8 p.m.
After asking for water, the suspects leveled their weapons at the barangay captain and opened fire at close range, repeatedly hitting him in the body. The suspects also shot Delia at the back before casually walking towards La Paz town.
Relatives and neighbors rushed Delia and Ronald to the Abra Provincial Hospital for treatment. They were declared out of danger yesterday.
Senior Superintendent Alexander Pumecha, Abra police director, said the investigators are not discounting the political angle in the murder but they are also looking into other angles, including the possible involvement of New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilas and people who may be harboring grudges against the slain village chief. – With Teddy Molina