Cagayan mayor shot dead
STILL unidentified gunmen shot dead the mayor of Rizal, Cagayan and wounded two of his companions inside a local barangay hall on Wednesday evening, police said.
Mayor Joel Ruma was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Tuao District Hospital from a gunshot wound.
The two other victims identified as Merson Abiguebel and Melanie Talay are undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
Abiguebel was shot on his left elbow while Talay was hit on her left breast and left lower back.
According to Police Regional Office 2 director Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag, the gun attack took place inside the Bgy. Illuru Sur hall around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
He said that the suspects fled immediately after the shooting and are still being hunted as of press time by members of the Rizal Municipal Police Station and other units of the Cagayan Police Provincial Office.
“Hot pursuit operations are still underway with checkpoints established in possible withdrawal routes of the killers in order to intercept them,” said Marallag.
The official said that the Cagayan Provincial Forensic Unit have joined the investigation into the case, gathering evidence at the crime scene.
All available CCTV footages in the scene of the attack and its nearby areas are being reviewed by the police as part of the investigation.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and a massive hunt for the suspects, said PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf T. Tuaño.
The official said that Ruma was having a picture-taking with his party and supporters when gunfire was heard coming from the mountainous part of the barangay hall, hitting the mayor and the two other victims.
Already on his second term as mayor, there are no reported threats on the life of Ruma who has at least four police security personnel.
Marallag condemned the incident and called on people who may have information that will lead to the identities of the killers to come to the nearest police station to give their statement.
He assured that the identities of the informants will be kept in utmost secrecy.
“We strongly condemn this violence, especially at a time when we are preparing for the peaceful 2025 elections. We will not stop until we provide justice for the victims. We call on the public to cooperate in the investigation by sharing any information that may help in the case,” Marallag said.
The killing of the mayor came amid the stepped-up campaign by the Cagayan Valley police to account for loose firearms and private armed groups that may pose a threat to the holding of a peaceful and orderly May 12 National and Local Elections in the region.
