By ARTEMIO DUMLAO
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY— Two people were killed, and another was injured after unidentified gunmen ambushed the convoy of Pidigan mayoralty candidate and former Langiden Mayor Artemio “Billy Boy” Donato Jr. on Friday afternoon, February 28, at Sitio Palicad, Poblacion, Pilar, Abra.
The fatalities were identified as Froilan Bisares Bueno, barangay chairman of Quillat, Langiden, and Kevin Bisares Bueno, a barangay driver. Kevin Bueno was killed instantly by a gunshot wound to the head, while Froilan Bueno sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and later died at the hospital.
Another victim, Sonny Bisares Bueno, was wounded in the right leg and is receiving treatment at Seares Hospital in Bangued, the provincial capital.
According to police reports, Donato’s convoy, composed of around 11 vehicles, was traveling from Poblacion, Pilar, to Villaviciosa town at around 4:40 p.m. when the gunmen, positioned on higher ground about 20 meters from the road, opened fire.
Responding police found a black Montero SUV with plate number B1 U480 abandoned at the scene, where Kevin Bueno was found dead. Authorities have launched checkpoint and dragnet operations across municipal police stations to identify and apprehend the assailants. However, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCor) spokesperson Lt. Col. Carol Lacuata has not named suspects or persons of interest.
Donato was unharmed and has not issued any statement regarding the incident. Investigations are ongoing.
He is up against Robby “Obay” Valera, an incumbent councilor and daughter of suspended Mayor Domino Valera.
The Abra Sangguniang Panlalawigan imposed a 60-day preventive suspension on Mayor Valera on January 10 for grave misconduct complaints. This came months after Malacañang suspended his father and sister, incumbent Governor Dominic Valera and Vice Governor Joy Bernos, respectively.
During a joint meeting with the Commission on Elections Cordillera on February 25, PROCor identified Pidigan as among the areas under the yellow category, indicating election-related incidents. Other Abra towns under the yellow category include Lagayan, Tayum, Tineg, Dolores, and Lagangilang, as well as Lubuagan town in Kalinga.# nordis.net/with reports from Kimberlie Quitasol
