‘Abra sought to be placed on Comelec control’

BAGUIO CITY (March 31, 2025)— Non-government Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance (CCAGG) in condemning the recent wave of killings and shootings called on authorities to place the province under COMELEC control.



Also urging the police, COMELEC, Local Government of Abra, and relevant authorities at all levels to act swiftly and decisively, the CCAGG is demanding “a thorough and impartial investigation (of these crimes), along with the immediate implementation of concrete actions to prevent further bloodshed.”

“These brutal acts not only claim innocent lives but also sow seeds of fear, brazenly undermining the safety and security of peace-loving Abrenians," the group stressed, even amid the election gun ban imposed under Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution No. 11067.

The group described the situation in Abra “as clearly showing the failure of authorities to implement it effectively.”

Over half a dozen shootings and gun-related violence had occured in Abra since the start of the campaign mid February. 

The CCAGG said, “(the) fact that these crimes continue inspite of the signing of peace covenant between the candidates underscores the stark irony at hand,” adding, “(our) participation in the Peace Covenant and Interfaith Rally for Peace has lost its essence.” Killings, harassment, intimidation, vote-buying and vote-selling continue, it added.

Such blatant disregard for peace and security measures calls into question law enforcement’s capability and commitment to upholding the rule of law and falls short of the citizens’ high expectations of maintaining public safety and order," the group further stressed.

Abrenians deserve a province where peace and order prevail, where the law is enforced without exception, where fundamental rights are fully protected, and where perpetrators are brought to justice, the CCAGG reiterated.

Only Thursday, March 27, an almost bloody encounter between Abra policemen and alleged goons of a huge political clan in Pidigan, Abra.

Abra policemen who responded to a request from suspended Pidigan mayor Joseph Domino A. Valera for the latter’s group’s political gathering sorty reportedly noticed armed men in front of the ‘Rancho 88’ compound of the suspended mayor at barangay Pangtud.

At around 1:55 PM, policemen led by acting town police chief Major Jushua Mateo reportedly noticed the convoy of Pidigan mayoralty candidate Artemio Donato Jr. at the market at sitio Nagsangalan, Poblacion, East Pidigan, Abra purchasing supplies, then proceeded to the Municipal Hall at Poblacion West, Pidigan.

Apparently irked by Donato Jr. and his convoy’s presence in the area, one armed man came out from Rancho 88 compound with a rifle and black ammunition bandolier and several other unidentified men pulling their guns from their sling bags and spread out in front of the gasoline station within Rancho 88.

Four minutes later, 1:59PM, Abra policemen reported, some unidentified men led by retired Philippine Army Lt. Col. Thomas Bravo Baluga, one of the top nominees of PBBM partylist led by the suspended Pidigan Mayor, on board a bulletproof metallic gray SUV blocked the road along the Abra-Ilocos Sur Road particularly in front of Palawan remittance center along barangay Pangtud.

Major Mateo reportedly called for assistance from the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the 113rd Special Action Company of the PNP Special Action Force (SAC-SAF) that were deployed nearby and when they arrived at the scene at around 2:02PM, they reportedly saw around 30 armed men fleeing towards ‘Rancho 88’.

Baluga, who once headed the Philippine Army Brigade stationed in Abra before retiring and seeking the mayoralty post in Piat, Cagayan province in 2022, had not issued any statement regarding his reported involvement.

Meanwhile, a security guard died-on-the spot after a gunman shot at him before 11PM also on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Sitio Ram-ramot, Barangay San Antonio, Bangued.

The victim was identified as Ronie Bolante, a resident of Sitio Ramramot, Barangay San Antonio, Bangued.

Initial investigation of the police disclosed that Bolante was with his live-in-partner and were sleeping inside their hut when the suspect fired hitting him on his head killing him instantly.