Brgy. Captain and companion gunned down; three others wounded in Abra bridge ambush

Abra, Philippines – A punong barangay and his companion were killed after their vehicle was riddled with bullets while they were traversing the Calaba Bridge in Bangued, Abra on Tuesday, February 24.

The fatalities were identified by the police as Collago, Lagayan Punong Barangay Ezequiel Castañeda Parado, 35, and Arlene Dorias who is a resident of the same place. The three other injured victims in the shooting incident are Ailyn S. Parado, a Sangguniang Bayan member in Lagayan; Edron Salingbay; and Jaypee Soliba Gacayan. All are residents of Collago.

Initial report of the police revealed that the five were onboard two vehicles when they were ambushed while passing through the Calaba Bridge in Bangued. The suspects, who were riding a white pick-up, fired at the two vehicles using high powered arms.

All of the five were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, Ezequiel and Dorias succumbed to their injuries. The three others are currently being treated for their wounds.

Police investigators are currently looking into the case while the other operatives have already launched a hot pursuit operation for the possible arrest of the people responsible of the incident.

It could be recalled that on February 23, another shooting incident was reported after a dead body was found at a farm-to-market road in Bangued. The victim, who sustained gunshot wounds, was discovered with his hands and feet tied and mouth taped.