Mayor Joel A. Ruma of Rizal, Cagayan, who is seeking reelection in the upcoming May polls, was shot dead while campaigning in the town’s Barangay Illuru Sur on Wednesday night, April 23.
Police said two persons at the rally — Merson Abiguebel and Melany Talay, 23, a farmer, a resident of the barangay — were also wounded.
Investigation said Rumas was posing for photos with supporters at the premises of the barangay hall at about 9:30 p.m. when he was shot by unidentified suspects.
Ruma sustained a bullet wound in the right shoulder and was rushed to the Tuao District Hospital in Cagayan where he was declared dead at 10:31 p.m.
The wounded were also taken to the Tuao District Hospital and transferred to the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City for further treatment.
Police Major Sherwin C. Viernes, Rizal town police chief, said massive pursuit operations and follow-up investigation are ongoing.
Police have created a Special Investigation Task Group to handle the investigation.
According to Police Major Sharon, Mallilin, Police Regional Office-2 (PRO 2) spokesperson, the killing is considered an election-related violence.
Police Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr., PRO 2 director, condemned the incident and appealed to residents to give any information to the police that would lead to the identification and arrest of the suspects and mastermind.
“We deeply condemn the incident as this time we are preparing for a peaceful 2025 midterm polls. We will not cease the investigation until we give justice to the victim’s family. We are appealing to the witnesses of the incident as well as the public to help us by giving information leading to the identification of the suspects of the incident,” said Marallag.
