Manhunt on for suspect:Ex-vice mayor, 2 others killed in Abra shootout

DOLORES, Abra -- – Police launched manhunt operations against a suspect allegedly involved in a shootout that resulted to the killing of the former vice mayor of this town and his policeman brother.

A bodyguard of the incumbent mayor was also killed in the shootout reportedly triggered by a quarrel over a game of cards at a wake here in Barangay Poblacion night of August 23.

Former Vice Mayor Dante Guzman, his brother PO3 Dindo Guzman, and Jun Cabanaoan, said to be a bodyguard of Dolores Mayor Robert Victor Seares, were among those killed in the incident that left three others wounded, Dolores police chief Senior Insp.Ricky Dangiwan said.

Two of the wounded were identified as Christopher Tordil and Cesar Zapata, an employee of the Abra Electric Cooperative.

PO3 Guzman was reportedly assigned with the municipal police office in Bangued.

Seares, reports said, was not at the crime scene during the incident.

His two other alleged bodyguards identified as Jeffrey Borgonia and Christian Cortez were reportedly among those involved in the shootout.

Reports said the incident broke out after Cortez and the former vice mayor reportedly argued while playing card game.

Cortez surrendered after the incident while Borgonia escaped, Dangiwan said.

The former vice mayor did not run for any position in the last elections.

His brother, David, ran but was defeated by Seares.

This, as Senior Supt. Benjamin Lusad, Abra police director, said a massive hunt had been launched while a suspect had surrendered in the shooting spree that resulted to the killing of the victims.  

“One of the assailants was killed, one surrendered to me personally and another one is now being hunted,” said Lusad who described the incident as sparked by misunderstanding.

Initial investigation showed that all the victims and the suspects were attending a wake and playing “dado” when Cortez suddenly hit the playing table that allegedly caused a heated argument between the latter and PO3  Guzman.

Cortez ran out from the wake but  was followed by PO3 Guzman and the former vice mayor Dante Guzman.

Suddenly a burst of gunfire erupted, according to witnesses, wherein Jun Cabanawan allegedly shot former vice mayor Guzman who died on the spot.

Noticing his brother was shot dead, PO3 Guzman retaliated and shot Cabanawan to death.

However, another gunman shot PO3 Guzman causing the latter’s death.

Cortez alias Immong, was surrendered by Seares to Lusad while Borgonia is still at large.

Both were reportedly also bodyguards of Seares and residents of Barangay Poblacion.

Injured during the incident were Christopher Bunag Tordil, 40, businessman; Cesar Purisima Zapata, 34, Abara Electric Cooperative employee.

They were with the Guzman brothers during the incident. Zapata was later discharged from a hospital.

Victims and the suspects sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were immediately brought to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment except for Cabanaoan who died on the spot.

Dindo and Guzman were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician while Christopher Tordil is still confined at the hospital.

Police recovered 18 fired and unfired bullets from the crime scene.

Police launched manhunt operation against Borgonia and other suspects, while charges are filed against them.-- By Myds Supnad,Raymund Catindig, Charlie Lagasca, Teddy Molina