By KIMBERLIE QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY— On April 27, 2019, Angad Punong Barangay (village chief) Ronnie Bringas survived an ambush. His family believed that the attack against him then was due to his political affiliation. 

Three years after, on the day, the 45-year-old village chief was not so lucky. A man wearing a black jacket, cap, and tube mask shot and killed him while he was checking on the basketball tournament at the village’s covered court in Bangued, Abra.

The suspect tried to escape on board a motorcycle after the shooting. However, he crashed on the side of the road and was forced to flee on foot towards Brgy. Lipcan, also in Bangued. By-standers tried to get hold of the suspect, but they failed because the suspect allegedly drew his firearm.

During the April 28 Kapihan sa Abra, Abra Provincial Police Information Officer Major Edwin Sergio said they had already formed Special Investigation Task Group Bringas to fast-track the probe. He also revealed that authorities had identified a suspect through the help of several witnesses. He has not given any more details about the case.

Before the incident, Bangued mayoral candidate Anne Bersamin and vice-mayor candidate Buc Luna accused Bringas of vote-buying in favor of their opponents.

On April 19, Luna aired footage of people lining up at the victim’s residence on Facebook Live, alleging that individuals were there to receive cash.

On April 21, Bersamin told the media in a phone interview that Bringas is among the Punong Barangay distributing money to buy votes.

The mayoralty race in Bangued is a three-cornered fight among Bersamin, former mayor Ryan Luna and incumbent vice mayor Mila Valera.

Mila is the wife of the incumbent mayor and gubernatorial candidate Dominic Valera and the mother of incumbent Abra governor Jocelyn Bernos who is running for vice-governor.

Anne is the daughter of former Abra Representative Luis “Chito” Bersamin, assassinated on December 16, 2006, outside Mount Carmel Church in Quezon City. His uncle, former governor Eustaquio Bersamin, is seeking to regain the same position and running with Anne’s sister, Chari.

Buc is the younger brother of Ryan. Their sister Derdrei Luna-Ifurung is running for governor with their father Roger as vice-governor. Their mother, former congresswoman Cecilia Seares-Luna is gunning to regain the mayoral seat in their town Lagayan.

PNP revamp

Anne urged the COMELEC to effect a revamp on the Abra police leadership. She accused the local PNP of protecting politicians who are buying votes in Abra.

According to her, she talked to the Bangued police chief, who agreed to disperse the people lining up at the houses of Barangay Chairmen, where cash were allegedly being given in exchange for votes for the Valeras.  However, no steps were taken by the police.

Abra Comelec Election Supervisor Lawyer Ricardo Lampac, in a text message on April 21, said he has instructed Comelec Bangued and informed the Bangued police to “act on the matter.”

In the April 28 Kapihan, he said they have only received a vote-buying complaint from Pidigan town. He said the complaint is not notarized and lacks the necessary attachment to back the claim, but said he will forward it to the proper body for action. # nordis.net