A barangay chairman was gunned down by a Sangguniang Bayan candidate during a campaign sortie in Barangay Nagtupacan, Lagangilang, Abra on Monday night, April 7.
The victim was identified as Lou Salvador Claro, 57, chairman of Barangay Nagtupacan and a retired police officer.
Initial investigation said the suspect, Manzano Bersalona Agdalpen, 58, a resident of the area, allegedly punched a man identified as Rommel Apolinar while campaigning with his Team Asenso party at about 6:50 p.m.
Apolinar informed Claro, a member of the opposing Team Progreso, about the incident.
Claro, accompanied by Apolinar, approached Agdalpen to pacify the situation but Agdalpen again punched Apolinar who retaliated.
Agdalpen pushed Claro and drew a gun and fired at the victim multiple times. Agdalpen was then shot by an unidentified gunman from behind.
Claro was taken to a hospital in Bangued, Abra where he was declared dead. Agdalpen was brought to a government hospital in Bangued where he died.
Police are conducting follow-up investigation.
This province has been rocked a series of violent incidents ahead of the May elections.
Team Progreso and Team Asenso are led by two opposing political clans in the province.