BAGUIO CITY (June 21) — A known political ally of newly elected Abra governor Eustaquio Bersamin was killed on Tuesday noon, the latest victim of killings in the province.

Luisito Blanes alias Luyong, 44, a barangay kagawad of Calaba, Bangued, Abra’s capital town was ambushed by motorcycle-riding men at around 12:15 Tuesday noon just in front of the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology.

Cordillera police Spokesman Sr. Supt. Arni Dean Emock said the barangay kagawad, who supported Bersamin during the highly contested May 14 elections in Abra, was aboard his tricycle on his way to fetch his daughter from school when the two gunmen sprung from nowhere and fired at him at close range.

Emock said the gun used was a .45 caliber pistol.

Cordillera police have not establish the motivation behind the shooting theorizing it may have been because of his political ties to the elected governor. But it may have been another, said Emock, claiming that other angles are being investigated by the Abra police.

Bersamin, won over outgoing Bangued town mayor Ma. Cita Valera, wife of congressional bet and outgoing Governor Vicente Valera, is a younger brother of congressman Luis Bersamin, who was slain in Quezon City in December last year. Valera ran for congressman in the recent May 14.

The Bersamins blamed Valera for Luis’ murder. # Ace Alegre for NORDIS