Abra Catholic clergy condemns series of gun-related violence

"Adtoykami a mangitakder a napnoan-bileg ti panangkontra ken panangkondenar kadagiti kinaranggas ken pammapatay a nangramaramen kadagiti gimgimongtayo, aglalo ditoy probinsiatayo nga Abra, (We are here to condemn and stand strongly against the violence and killings that brought havoc to our church communities especially here in our province of Abra) the Catholic clergy said in native Iluko.  They expressed their alarm and sadness as more are being added to the long list of victims of election and non-election related violence.

The priests said, ‘they mourn with the families broken by the killings, fear and grief’, as they

Called on the government officials especially those elected, various groups and organizations and the people of Abra to sit together and have a heart-to-heart talk in pushing non-violence through peaceful dialogues to settle each differences and find solutions.

They also committed that the Church will always strongly support any plans and moves to address conflicts, strengthen peaceful co-existence of everyone in the society and peaceful resolutions.

The priests also appealed to the people to be one with them in praying for the victims of violence and their families so that they can mold within their selves peace, and push peace them selves into their homes, in their villages and in their workplaces. "Pagbaliwen koma ti ayat dagiti puspusotayo ken aganninaw koma ti namnama ti nakappia a masakbayan kadagiti aramidtayo, (May love change our hearts and may hope of a peaceful future takeover on whatever things we do), the priests continued.

As the Catholic clergy issued the call, police is investigating a shooting incident Monday evening

where Raniel Romero died of gunshot wounds.

The killing of Romero occurred at Barangay Cabuloan, in the provincial capital.

The motive and suspects are yet to be determined, though sources claimed Romero was tagged in the illegal drugs trade.