Bocap shot dead in Abra

LAGAYAN, Abra – A barangay chairman was shot dead here morning of Nov. 22 while he, with two others, were walking along an uninhabited area toward another barangay.

Police identified the victim as Collago barangay chairman Freddie Balucas Martinez, 47, tagged a supporter of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

Abra police director Senior Supt.Armando Laguiwid told newsmen gunmen fired at the barangay chairman, Leonardo Alcartado, 32 and Ireneo Martinez, 42.

Martinez immediately fell down with many gunshot wounds while his companions ran away.
 
Two witnesses told PO3 Reynaldo Fancuvilla, police investigator, they could not recognize the perpetrators because they were hiding in ambush hidden by thick bushes.

The witnesses however said the three assassins were wearing camouflage military uniforms.
 
Four cartridge cases of M16 rifle and two cartridge cases of M14 rifle were found at the crime site by police.

Police said residents told them Martinez was a supporter of the CPP/NPA since he provided food to the NPAs whenever they passed by his house.

A personal bodyguard of an Abra regional trial court judge was also shot dead in the capital town of Bangued by bonnet-wearing gunmen in his own backyard more than a week ago.

Efren Aquino alias Appeng, 40, a personal bodyguard of RTC Branch 2 Judge Corpus Cristi Alzate, was drinking with villagemates in Barangay Sta. Rosa, when gunmen suddenly appeared and shot him dead with an M16 assault rifle.

Police recovered eight empty shells of M16 Armalite from the crime site.

Alzate, whose sala was also ransacked of firearms being kept as evidence on April 7, this year, urged concerned authorities for early solution of his bodyguard’s killing.
 
The firearms have been kept in the court as evidence to pin down criminals in mostly in poll-related violence in Abra.

Unidentified men broke into Alzate’s courtroom located beside the Abra provincial capitol.