Thursday, June 28, 2007
1 killed, 3 hurt in series of Abra post-poll shootings
By Ernie N. Olson Jr.
ONE person died and three others were seriously wounded, after they got involved in a series of post-election shooting incidents in Dolores, Abra recently.
Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, identified the lone fatality as Jaime Talledo Zapata, 58, married, a farmer and brother of Barangay Chairman Celso Zapata of Lubluba, Dolores, Abra.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
View here the list of local winners
Those injured in an earlier shootout were Lito Talledo Zapata alias Awweng, a known supporter of Mayor-elect Alberto “Paking” Guzman and brother of the slain victim; Dan Salimbay, 28, single, a security aide of Dr. Robert Seares; and Jason Barona, 21, a driver. The latter two are both residents of Corapo, Poblacion, Dolores, Abra and known political supporters of losing mayoral candidate JR Seares of the same town.
An initial investigation of the first incident disclosed that Salimbay and Barona escorted Dr. Seares to his residence in Mudiit, Dolores, Abra, and while on their way back home on board a red XRM motorcycle, they were met by Lito Zapata at Kemmel bridge in Lubluba, where the latter allegedly shot both of them with the use of a cal .45 pistol at around 4:45 p.m. last June 23.
As a result, Salimbay reportedly sustained a gunshot wound in his right chest, while Barona sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg.
Both were rushed to the Seares Memorial Hospital in Bangued, Abra for medical treatment and were confined there under heavy guard by personnel of the Abra Provincial Police Office.
On the other hand, in a separate interview with Lito Zapata, he revealed that he was met by the duo at the Kemmel bridge on board a motorcycle, and after they stopped him at a distance, they allegedly shot him for no apparent reason.
He sustained a lone gunshot wound in his left leg and was brought to the Abra Provincial Hospital by personnel of the Dolores police station for medical treatment.
Later that same afternoon, Jaime Zapata was said to have immediately proceeded to the Dolores police station after being informed about his brother being involved in the earlier shooting incident.
However, at around 8:30 p.m. that night, while on his way back home on board a tricycle, he was peppered with bullets by a group of still unidentified assailants.
The victim sustained several gunshot wounds in different parts of his body, killing him instantly.For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (June 28, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
