ABC head shoots deputy police chief, accountant

BAAY LICUAN, Abra – A 66- year old barangay captain was arrested after shooting this town’s deputy chief of police and injuring two others during a socialization program inside the municipal multi-purpose hall at Sitio Baquero, Barangay Nalbuan Thursday night.

Senior Supt. Benjamin Lusad, provincial police director, identified the suspect as barangay captain Joseph Sales Daguio, incumbent president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in the municipality and resident here of Barangay Tumalip.

Victims were named as SPO4 Nelson Espiritu Venus, 44, of Poblacion, Pilar, Abra; Catalino Gandeza Gaboy, 46, administrative officer 3 of Baay-Licuan, and resident of Barangay Tubagan, and Gerardo Molina Bernal, 38, barangay kagawad and resident here of Barangay Duminglay.

Information gathered showed during the socialization program of the municipal employees and barangay officials of Baay-Licuan, SPO4 Venus invited the municipal accountant Grethel Garcia Sacragun for a dance when the suspect approached them and shot Venus several times. Gaboy was hit on his armpit when he tried to pacify the suspect while Bernal was hit on his left leg.

PO2 Babila was able to grab the suspect’s firearm and later arrested him.

All the victims were brought to the Seares Memorial Hospital but SPO4 Venus and Gaboy were later transferred to the Abra Provincial Hospital for further medication where they were confined.

Police recovered the Cal. 45 pistol and the four cartridge cases of the gun in the crime scene.