Mayor Joel Ruma of Rizal, Cagayan was shot dead during a campaign rally in his hometown, police reported yesterday.
Ruma was shot while greeting supporters and posing for photos outside the barangay hall at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in Barangay Illuru Sur.
Police said Ruma was hit in the right shoulder and was rushed to the Tuao District Hospital but was declared dead at 10:31 p.m.
According to PNP spokesperson Randolf Tuano that a sniper was behind the fatal shooting. He also said that three other people were wounded by stray bullets that could have come from the security team of the mayor.
The Police Regional Office 02 (PRO2) and the Cagayan Police Provincial Office (CPPO) have set up high-alert checkpoints in nearby towns and initiated hot pursuit operations.
The Cagayan PNP Provincial Forensic Unit, together with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 2, was deployed to assist in the ongoing investigation and crime scene clearing operations.
Ruma had been campaigning for reelection with his wife, Vice Mayor Brenda Ruma. Rizal has long been tagged an election hotspot due to its history of campaign-related violence.
PRO2 Regional Director PBGEN Antonio P. Marallag Jr. condemned the attack in the strongest terms and appealed to the public to assist in identifying the perpetrators.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia said that they are awaiting a full police report before determining whether to place the province of Cagayan under Comelec control — a measure already enforced in Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte due to similar incidents.
In a separate case further highlighting the mounting tensions this election season, threats were allegedly issued against a journalist in Abra. Romeo Gonzales, a provincial correspondent for DZRH, claimed he received violent threats from La Paz Mayor and congressional candidate Joseph Bernos following his report on a shooting incident in Tayum, Abra, on April 21.
Gonzales said during an interview on DZRH News’ Magandang Umaga Pilipinas that Bernos confronted him via Facebook Messenger, including a video call where the mayor allegedly issued threats. A police certification from Baguio City confirmed the exchange, quoting Bernos as saying: “P___ng n@ mo, Mr. Gonzales. Babalikan kita, p___g *n@ ka.”
DZRH’s parent company, the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), strongly condemned the threats, calling for accountability and the protection of press freedom. “There is no room for violence and threats,” it said in a statement.
With tensions rising on the campaign trail, the simultaneous violence in Cagayan and threats in Abra highlight the urgent need for heightened security and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding the democratic process. Vince Lopez