Abono party list president gunned down in Pangasinan

A LIFE TAKEN Ponciano Onia Jr. smiles broadly as he shows a copy of his certificate of candidacy for reelection as councilor of Umingan, Pangasinan, which he filed in October. Onia, who is also the president of Abono Partylist, was killed on Saturday. —Ponciano Onia Facebook

CALASIAO, PANGASINAN, Philippines — The president of Abono Partylist, which represents agriculture and marginalized sectors in Congress, was shot and killed here while on his way home to Umingan town in eastern Pangasinan on Saturday night, in an incident that his local ally believed might be politically motivated.

Ponciano Onia Jr., 59, who was seeking reelection as councilor of Umingan in next year’s elections, was peppered with bullets by an unidentified gunner while driving his vehicle in Lubong village on his way to his residence in Barangay San Leon, Umingan at 7:45 p.m., the police report said.

Onia died while receiving treatment at the Umingan community hospital at 8:40 p.m., police said.

His two employees, who were with him inside his car, were unharmed.

In a social media post, Umingan Vice Mayor Chris Evert Tadeo condemned the “senseless and most inhumane act of killing” of Onia, hinting at politics as the primary motive behind the killing.

Tadeo said: “Ang karahasan at walang-awang pamamaslang sa isang indibidwal para sa sariling interes at pulitika ay walang puwang sa isang maayos at mapayapang komunidad (Violence and the merciless killing of an individual for self-interest and politics has no place in a healthy and peaceful community).”

“We hope the death of a person who thought nothing but the welfare and rights of the people, will be given justice,” he added. However, Tadeo did not say who he was alluding to.

‘Ripples of grief’

The Police Regional Office in Ilocos Region (PRO 1), in a statement on Sunday, declared its “full commitment in conducting a thorough and impartial investigation” into the killing of Onia.

PRO 1 Director Police Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista said their investigators were “working tirelessly to gather all relevant evidence and testimonies from witnesses [and] coordinating with local authorities to ensure that every aspect of this incident is thoroughly examined.”

“This tragic incident has sent ripples of grief throughout our community, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends, and constituents of Councilor Onia. We strongly condemn this criminal act,” he said in the statement.

The police found eight fired cartridges for a caliber .45 gun and two jacketed deformed card bullets.

“The safety and security of everyone is our top priority, and we are dedicated [to] intensifying our police operations as we are also approaching the election period,” the statement read.

The police urged anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward and assist their investigators.

PRO 1 has yet to confirm or deny allegations that the killing of Onia was politically motivated.

“Continuous follow-up investigation/operation is being conducted for the possible arrest of the suspect/s and to establish the motive behind the shooting incident,” PRO 1 said in another statement.

Shock, sadness

Abono Partylist expressed shock and sadness over the “senseless killing” of its president.

“We deeply mourn [his] tragic passing. Our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and Abono Partylist family,” the group’s statement, issued by party list chair Rosendo So, said on Sunday afternoon.

“May his legacy inspire future generations,” it added.

Abono Partylist is represented by Rep. Raymond Estella in the House of Representatives. He could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

Political killings

Pangasinan has had its share of suspected political killings in recent years.

Last Nov. 3, Dexter Jimenez, the former village chief of Gabon in Calasiao, was shot and killed while his wife was injured in a shooting incident.

On Oct. 22, 2023, Arnel Adolfo Flormata, 41 and a candidate for barangay captain in Aguilar, Pangasinan, was shot and killed shortly after speaking at a campaign rally in Barangay Bayaoas.

In December 2023, Reynaldo Escobar Jr., 51, former barangay chairman of Tanggal-Sawang of Umingan town, was also shot and killed by unidentified assailants in Barangay Bolintaguen, San Quintin.

Sto. Tomas Councilor Benjamin Oculto, Jr. of this town was shot dead outside a church here on Dec. 16, 2018. He was to run in the 2019 elections for vice mayor of his town.

In Mangaldan town, Barangay Poblacion chair Melinda Morillo was also shot and killed while driving home on Dec. 7, 2023.

Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez was shot dead in December 2012.