Vice Mayor in Isabela beaten up after firing gun during drinking session

San Isidro, Isabela – A high-ranking official of a local government unit in Isabela was beaten up during a drinking session after firing a gun, leaving him bruised and injured.

Based on reports from both local and national media outlets, the incident occurred past 12:00 a.m. on October 23, 2025, in Barangay Quezon, San Isidro, Isabela, where residents were startled by gunfire.

Police identified the LGU official as Artemio Gambalan Tumamao Jr., the 52-year-old vice mayor of San Isidro town.

Initial investigation and witness accounts revealed that cousins Norbert Asis, 49, and Jhon Robert Asis, 27, were having a drinking spree in the said barangay when Artemio arrived and joined them.

Also present at the gathering was SK Chairman Excelsis Landween Medrano Gonzales, 22.

While drinking, Artemio reportedly joked about hiring the cousins as his personal bodyguards. Moments later, he went to his vehicle and returned holding a firearm.

Norbert and Jhon Robert confronted him about the gun, but the vice mayor fired a shot at the ground, prompting the two men to subdue and beat him.

The SK chairman intervened and managed to disarm the vice mayor. Upon receiving a report about the incident, personnel from the San Isidro Municipal Police Station arrived at around 12:30 a.m. and rushed the injured official to Isabela South Specialists Hospital, where he was placed under hospital arrest.

Norbert and Jhon Robert also sustained injuries during the scuffle and were taken to Echague District Hospital for medical treatment.

At the crime scene, police recovered a Glock Gen4 .40-caliber pistol with an extended magazine and one spent .40-caliber shell casing.

As of this writing, authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or the vice mayor’s possible criminal liability.