2 dead; suspect injured in Abra gun attack

BAGUIO CITY — Two men were shot dead while the suspect, a village chairman, was wounded following a squabble in a bar in Bangued, Abra on Tuesday, police said.

Investigators said Calaba village chair Joel Mailed, 59, was drunk when he went to a bar owned by Elpidio Castillo Jr., 49, to have the establishment closed at about 1 a.m.

The encounter later turned into a heated argument.

Mailed suddenly shot Castillo several times. Nonilo Billedo, 31, was also shot, police said.

Police patrolling the area saw the incident and tried to arrest the suspect but were fired at, which prompted the lawmen to retaliate.

Both victims were rushed to the hospital but Billedo was declared dead on arrival. Castillo died from multiple gunshot wounds while undergoing treatment.

Mailed was also rushed to the hospital after being shot in the head and body. /kga