EDITORIAL

41 shooting deaths in Abra first six months of 2007 alarming

No matter how much police officials downplay it, killings are still on the rise in Abra, considered now the “killing fields” of northern Luzon .

According to police statistics, one person is murdered in Abra every four days, the highest in the last 10 years. The number of persons killed in Abra during the first half of this year stood at 41, nearly double the 24 violent deaths recorded during the same period last year.

Despite this, the Cordillera Regional Police Office downplayed the Abra murder statistics, saying these were insignificant when interpreted in the context of the crime situation in the whole Cordillera.

A regional police office press release said, “The total index crimes recorded this year slid down to 435, and of this number, 372 had been solved.” The regional police record and 85.52 percent crime solution efficiency, the report said.

In 2006, there were reportedly 455 index crimes, 366 of which were solved with an 80.44 percent crime-solution efficiency.

Police Cordillera regional director Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales stated in a press release “The election period did not affect much the crime statistics for the period from January to June 2007” and bared only an “insignificant difference.”

But he noted in Abra, some election-related violent incidents transpired with 41 murder sin the first half of this year, compared to 24 murders recorded last year.

The latest gun-slaying took place in Bangued, Abra last June 29. Sagmayap Meaog y Selong, 40, single, native of Makingag Lanex, Tineg, Abra and pastor of the Jesus Christ Mission International Inc. was shot dead near a corn field.

Brenda Crisologo, wife of Tineg Mayor Edwin Crisologo, died in the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City last June 23 shortly after she spoke with her supporters.

Local newsmen said Mrs. Crisologo was the 11th victim of political violence in Abra.

Brenda was shot and wounded last May 17 at the Holy Spirit Academy in Bangued, Abra while votes were being canvassed in the school. She suffered five bullet wounds in the body.

Last May 6, six supporters and relatives of congressional candidate and Lagayan Mayor Cecilia Luna were killed when gunmen opened fire on her vehicle while the mayor’s party was returning from a wake.

Politics-related violence started on Jan. 9, 2006 when Barangay Chairman George Reyes of Patucannay, Bangued, Abra fired and killed four persons. Also in January, 2006, La Paz Mayor Marc Ysrael Bernos was shot dead while he was watching a basketball game at the La Paz town center.

In November, 2006, Abra Provincial Board Member James Burgos Bersamin who was planning to run for Bangued mayor was shot to death while walking in the capital town. This was followed by the shooting of Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr. and his bodyguard SPO1 Adelfo Ortega on Dec. 16, 2006 in Manila .

Abra has a record indicating that incumbent mayors were gunned down when they were about to end their term of office. In 2000, Tubo Mayor Jose Segundo was shot dead by an assassin who was identified, but the case did not prosper due to lack of evidence.

On October 29, 2002, a gunman casually walked in the San Isidro Labrador church in Calauan, Laguna and pumped bullets into the head of Mayor Clarence “Boyet” Benwaren, 35, of Tineg, Abra, who was then signing the document as a sponsor in a wedding.

In 2005, then DILG Secretary Angelo Reyes replaced the entire police force of Abra due to unabated killings. All the policemen were later reinstated to their Abra posts. Police records showed the Abra police solved 26 of 27 killings in 2005, garnering a 96.30 percent crime-solution efficiency. No matter the “low statistics” in Abra killings, better crime-fighting solutions should be implemented by lawmen in the violence-stricken province.