A recent shooting in Abra province has resulted in the death of one victim, continuing a troubling trend of gun violence in the area and prompting condemnation from local Catholic clergy.
The latest victim, Raniel Romero, was shot in Barangay Cabulolan, Bangued town, on Tuesday, September 16. His death occurred just one day after the province’s clergy released a statement denouncing the “senseless” murders plaguing the region. Romero marks the fifth documented shooting incident this month, amidst a growing number of attempted murders by firearm throughout the year.
In a statement, the Diocese of Bangued urged all sectors of society, both governmental and civilian, to engage in peaceful dialogue rather than resorting to violence. “We are here to condemn and stand strongly against the violence and killings that have brought havoc to our church communities, especially in our province of Abra,” the statement, written in vernacular, declared.
The recent surge in violence began on August 29, when unidentified gunmen shot a former village chief and his nephew in Barangay San Antonio. Former Bañacao village chief Marcelo Banayos and his nephew Jansen Blanes were ambushed while driving their pickup truck less than 100 meters from a police detachment. Both survived and are currently receiving medical care.
On September 1, two more shootings occurred. The first involved former Dolores municipal councilor Gregorio Castillo, who was shot in his compound but survived. On the same day, farmer Hidalgo Villanueva was fatally shot in his home in Patucannay, Tayum.
The string of violence continued with a fourth shooting on September 3, where businessman Rodel Bermudez was killed and his wife, local councilwoman Zoraida Bermudez, was injured while they were in their storefront in San Rabon, Manabo town. Five suspects have since been arrested in connection with the Bermudez shooting, and the escape vehicle was traced back to another local councilor, who has denied involvement.
In a separate incident, Pidigan town Vice Mayor Noel Menor Bisares was shot by two unidentified gunmen on the morning of September 12 while inside his hardware supply store in Barangay Pamutic, Abra.
