BANGUED, Abra – A conflict mediation and diffusion meeting was called in Bangued as a result of a shooting incident leading to the death of one supporter of a mayoralty candidate of San Juan, Abra.
As an integral part of the peacekeeping strategy for the Safe and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2016, the Abra Provincial Police Office headed by PSSupt Antonio P. Bartolome steered the Conflict Mediation and Diffusion for Safe and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2016 on April 28, 2016 at Camp Juan Villamor in Bangued.
Parties involved are the group of congressional candidate and incumbent Mayor of the Municipality of San Juan Atty. Marco M. Bautista together with mayoralty candidate Atty. Meynardo M. Bautista, both under Nacionalista Party, and the group of mayoralty candidate Atty. Russel A.Bragas with congressional candidate and La Paz incumbent mayor Joseph Santo Nino Bernos, both from the Liberal Party. The Sangguniang Bayan candidates from both parties and all 19 punong barangays of San Juan were also present during the activity.
The members of the mediating committee were Lt. Col. Thomas Dominic Baluga, Battalion Commander of the 24th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army, Atty. Mae Richelle B. Beronilla, Provincial Election Supervisor of Commission on Election-Abra, Most Rev. Leopoldo C. Jaucian, SVDD, Bishop of the Diocese of Bangued, PCSupt.Robert G. Quenery, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, and Millicent B. Carino, Provincial Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Abra.
The shooting incident happened morning of April 24, 2016 at Barangay Abualan, San Juan killing one known supporter of Atty. Bragas. Alleged suspects and some witnesses were already identified by the San Juan Municipal Police Station. San Juan MPS COP Rey C. Tad-o reported that the case is still under investigation.
The mediation ended positively and both parties expressed support to the advocacy for peaceful elections in San Juan, Abra. The message “No personal animosity” was carried by both parties considering that that they are relatives.
By DILG Release
