Gunman attacks poll watcher in La Union

ARINGAY, LA UNION — Voting at the Aringay Central School in Barangay Poblacion here was briefly disrupted on Monday morning after two men barged into the school compound and shot and mauled a poll watcher, police said.

Suspect Joy Balaoro, 32, missed his target, Romeo Balanan, whose hat was grazed by a bullet from Balaoro’s gun, according to Police Maj. Daniel Banan, Aringay police chief.

Balaoro’s companion, Dilan Sadiri then punched Balanan, hitting him in the nose.

Banan said Balaoro and Sadiri entered the school’s western compound about 9:30 a.m. and went straight to the precinct where Balanan was assigned.

Without any provocation, Banan said Balaoro pulled out his gun and started firing at Balanan.

But before the commotion could get worse, Banan, who was with a police contingent in the school compound, immediately arrested the suspect and his companion.

Banan said the voters, who were waiting for their turn to vote at the school, were asked to go inside the classrooms when gunshots were heard.

But the voting immediately continued after the suspects were arrested.

Seized from Balaoro was a .38-caliber handgun with three bullets and three fired cartridges.

Banan said Balaoro faces cases of frustrated homicide and violation of the election gun ban, while Sadiri would be charged with serious physical injury.