3 killed in attack on LP group in Isabela town

CAUAYAN CITY—The brother-in-law of a Liberal Party mayoral candidate and two other people were killed on Saturday when 15 armed men attacked them in Jones town, Isabela province, police said.

Killed were retired SPO4 Arthur Anunciacion, Lydia Zapata and a security aide identified only as Erick.

Anunciacion’s wife, Rhoda, a sister of LP mayoral bet Melanie Uy, and his 12-year-old daughter were wounded. They were being treated at a hospital in Santiago City.

The victims were on their way to a campaign sortie in Namnama village in Jones at 8 a.m. when they were waylaid, said Senior Supt. Leon Rafael, Isabela police director.

Jay-ar Vallejo, LP spokesperson in Jones, said the attackers may have targeted Uy, a municipal councilor, believing she was in the vehicle carrying her sister’s family.

Security has been augmented for the town, which has been declared an election hot spot due to the killing of two candidates in April.

Communist rebels had claimed responsibility for killing Jones Vice Mayor Ronaldo Lucas on April 13, shortly after they detained his supporters who were campaigning in the interior villages of Dicamay 1 and Dicamay 2.

Lucas was serving the remaining term of Vice Mayor Florante Raspado, who was murdered inside the municipal hall in April last year.

On April 14, gunmen shot dead Heinrich Apostol, the Nationalist People’s Coalition candidate for town councilor.

Uy had planned to run for vice mayor with Raspado but chose to run for mayor. Her runningmate is Raspado’s widow, Evelyn.