Arms cache seized from Abra mayoral bet’s vehicle

BANGUED, Abra, Philippines — Three caliber .45 pistols, two M4 carbine rifles, an M16 rifle and more than 100 rounds of ammunition were reportedly recovered from a vehicle used in the campaign of a mayoral candidate in Tayum, Abra on Friday. 

The search on the Ford Ranger found abandoned in Barangay Budac was based on a warrant issued by Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court Branch 22 acting Judge Gina Juan Chan.

The vehicle was reportedly used by mayoral bet Jose Mari Brillantes and his supporters, who were accused of shooting the car of barangay chairman Walter Tugadi on Tuesday. 

Village watchman Alvin Padasa, 23, who was  wounded in the shooting, remains confined at the Abra Provincial Hospital. Tugadi had been discharged at the Seares Hospital.

Meanwhile, in Bangued, police said Ronnie Bringa, chairman of Barangay Angad, was wounded in an ambush yesterday. The gunmen also reportedly took the motorcycle of the victim.

The Regional Joint Security Council will meet next week to decide on whether to recommend placing Abra under the control of the Commission on Elections.

Abra had earlier been classified as an election area of “grave” concern under category red due to security threats and election-related incidents.