WHY? The family of Merlyn Alcaraz Abucay had no idea why she was targeted, but still she was tailed by an assailant who even addressed her as “manang” (sister) before shooting her dead on Feb. 19. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A government health worker in Isabela province has been murdered in broad daylight by a still unidentified assailant, and her family is calling for justice.
Midwife Merlyn Alcaraz Abucay was shot dead in the family farm in Barangay San Miguel, Burgos town, around 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 19. She would have turned 64 in April.
On the phone with the Inquirer on Tuesday, Abucay’s daughter Sheila said her parents were on their regular farm visit on Saturday.
“This is not a case of mistaken identity,” she declared. “They tailed my parents’ car and really targeted to kill my mother.” This was how Sheila narrated the grim turn of events:
The gunman stopped at the entrance of the farm and announced his presence in the Ilocano tongue: “We’re here, manang.” He then fired at Abucay twice in the chest.
The caretaker tried to intervene but the gunman ordered him to stay put or he would be shot: “Huwag kang lalapit. Babarilin kita.”
The gunman fled on a motorcycle driven by another man.
Abucay was pronounced dead at the hospital to which she was taken. Her husband, Mandy, who was in the car when she was killed, is still in shock. Sheila said their family and friends had no idea why her mother would be killed.
“She was a longtime midwife in our town,” the daughter said. “Ever since she retired, my mother’s life was the typical probinsya life — just staying home and going to the farm, the market, and the church. She did not receive any death threats.”
Abucay was a government health worker for 37 years before retiring in October 2020. She continued to live with her husband in their hometown while their two daughters settled in Manila and in Canada.
She worked in the local health unit and birthing center in Burgos, as well as in the outpatient department and the animal bite center of Manuel A. Roxas District Hospital in Roxas town, which is owned and operated by the Isabela provincial government.
She completed her midwifery degree at Ortañez University in Quezon City.
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