CAGAYAN MAYOR SHOT DEAD DURING CAMPAIGN SORTIE

RIZAL, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma on Wednesday night was shot dead by a still unidentified assailant during a campaign sortie, police said Thursday.

Ruma was declared dead on arrival at the Tuao District Hospital.

Two civilians identified as  Merson Abiguebel and Melanie Talay were injured and are  undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the barangay hall of Illuru Sur, where Ruma and his team were campaigning.

Authorities have yet to identify the suspects responsible for the fatal shooting.

Police Regional Office 2 (Cagayan Valley) Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag Jr. has ordered pursuit operations against the suspects.

The official also directed the implementation of high-risk checkpoint operations in strategic areas across the region.

“Mariin naming kinokondena ang karahasang ito, lalo na sa panahong tayo ay naghahanda para sa mapayapang halalan 2025. Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi namin naibibigay ang hustisya para sa mga biktima,” Marallag said in a statement.

Philippine National Police (PNP) information chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said Ruma might have been shot by a sniper based on the recovered shell of an Armalite rifle at the crime scene.

“Lumalabas sa kanilang (police) initial investigation na isang tama lang mula sa isang sniper rifle ang ginamit magmula sa isang vantage point,” Tuaño said in a media briefing at Camp Crame.

Tuaño said the bullet entered Ruma’s right shoulder and exited through his back, penetrating his whole body.

He said Ruma’s security detail, composed of four cops, will undergo a paraffin test as the police also heard gunshots inside the barangay hall.

“Ifo-forensic din ‘yung kanilang issued firearms para ma-determine natin kung sino possible na nakasugat sa mga ibang tao na wounded sa loob ng barangay,” he added.

Tuaño said the PRO 2 has activated a special investigation task group (SITG) to probe Ruma’s killing.

The body will also also investigate whether the killing was politically-motivated.

The killing of Ruma occurred amid the stepped-up campaign by the Cagayan Valley police to account for loose firearms and private armed groups that may pose a threat to the holding of a peaceful and orderly May 12 National and Local Elections in the region.