Abra governor aide killed in ambush

A security aide of Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin was killed in an ambush by still unidentified motorcycle-riding men in Bangued town over the weekend. In an interview with GMA News Online, SPO2 Mansueto Agdalpen identified the victim as Boy Aquino, a former member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary who had been Bersamin's aide since 2007. An initial investigation showed two armed suspects attacked Aquino while he was playing mahjong with a friend at Barangay (village) Zone 5 at about 5 p.m. Saturday. The report added that one of the suspects got off the motorcycle, shot Aquino, returned to their vehicle, and sped off. Agdalpen said Aquino, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his neck, arm, and abdomen, was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. Investigators are still trying to determine the identities and motive of the attackers. Bersamin was the younger brother of former Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr., who was slain as he was leaving a wedding ceremony in December 2006 in Quezon City. Charged in the killing was his political rival and former Abra Governor Vicente Valera, who was linked to the crime by the arrested gunmen. For its part, anti-crime group Kampanya Kontra Karahasan condemned the attack, stressing that it was only one of the "numerous cases" of killings in Abra caused by a supposed lack of police visibility there. But the Philippine National Police (PNP) had earlier claimed it was concentrating its forces in eight provinces, including Abra, which are perceived as "unsafe places." “Our goal is to work double-time to reverse this trend of negative public perception of the crime situation in 'unsafe areas'," PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo had said. - Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News