Abra town councilor shot dead in firefight

LAGAYAN, Abra -- Another town councilor was killed in a gun attack Thursday. Isagani Joson of this town was in the kitchen when unidentified men entered his house in Sitio Manaois, Barangay Poblacion at around 7:45 p.m. and opened fire. 

Joson reportedly engaged his attackers in a firefight, but he was overpowered.

A Cal.45 pistol was recovered at the scene. 

A task force was created to investigate the killing.

Joson is the fifth councilor killed this year.

Alfredo Alvarez of Rizal town and Zaldy Mallari of Allacapan, both in Cagayan, were gunned down in July and May, respectively. 

Ronilo Mamaclay of Kiamba, Saranggani was killed in a drug sting in June while Alexander Alicaway of San Fernando, Cebu was slain in an ambush last March.