By Liza Agoot
BANGUED, Abra – The Philippine National Police here has confirmed one shooting incident on election day, which left two persons injured.
“Sa ngayong araw, may reported na shooting incident na nangyari sa Bangued. May dalawang tao na nadala sa Seares Memorial Hospital at ngayon ay stable na sila (Today, there was a report of a shooting incident that happened in Bangued. There were two persons who were brought to Seares Memorial Hospital and they are now in stable condition),” said Col. Daniel Pel-ey, Abra Provincial Police Office information officer, in a press conference Monday afternoon.
He said a commotion was reported near the Sagap Elementary School in Barangay Sagap about 7 a.m., which prompted the municipal police and the provincial quick reaction team to respond.
Two gunshots were heard, after which two vehicles — a gray pick-up and a white Montero vehicle — sped toward Bangued town proper.
Pel-ey added that at 8:30 a.m., a call was received by the municipal police office from Seares Memorial Hospital about two persons with gunshot wounds brought for medical attention.
“As of now ginagawa ng MPS (municipal police station) ang investigation nila at magba-back track pa sila. May CCTV (closed circuit television) sa daan, hoping na may makapagsabi tungkol sa insidente (the MPS is investigating and they will backtrack on the CCTV at the roads also with the hope that there will be someone who will come out to provide information),” the police officer said.
He said the incident is under investigation to determine the motive behind the shooting and give justice to those injured.
He also denied claims on social media that there were shooting incidents in Pidigan and Tayum, saying these are false information.
On the issue about a polling center in Tineg municipality being allegedly transferred to another location, Pel-ey said this was still being verified.
“It is quite far, so we will have to wait,” he said.
However, in a separate interview with Abra election officer lawyer Nicasio Jacob, he said the voting was just moved to the front room to make the polling precinct more comfortable for the voters.
Pel-ey said government law enforcers continue to do aerial patrols in areas placed under the security color codes.
“We cannot say that the election is peaceful because of the reports that are coming in, but we assure our provincemates that we are attending to the situation to ensure the safety of everybody,” he said. (PNA)
