SAFEKEEPING PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez inspects one of the high powered firearms surrendered for safekeeping in Abra province. LEONCIO BALBIN JR.
by Artemio A. Dumlao
BAGUIO CITY – A Sangunniang Bayan bet in Baay-Licuan town in Abra was killed by New Peoples Army guerillas Tuesday afternoon over alleged refusal to give in to the rebels’ demand for P20,000.00 permit-to-campaign fee.
Crispin Maguelang was taken by NPA rebels from his house in barangay Dominglay, Baay-Licuan to remote barangay Bayabas, Malibcong town and shot there by two still unidentified rebels.
The killing, supposedly the first execution perpetrated by the NPA over fees exacted to politicians campaigning in supposed-rebel controlled areas after the local campaign period started, came a day before Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez visited Abra, earlier declared as among the country’s “hotspots”.
Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Ulysses Abellera quoting reports from the military stationed in Licuan-Baay and Malibcong towns said, Maguelang was attending a wedding when the alleged rebels took him and brought him to the house of Estimo Balug where he was shot three times on the side of the victim’s abdomen.
A letter was reportedly left by the rebels to the barangay chairman in Bayabas before fleeing.
Maguelang’s body was initially brought to barangay Buneg, in nearby Lacub town and later to Bangued, Abra’s capital town.
The victim’s political ally in the National Unity Party (NUP), Abra congressional bet Joseph Sto Nino Bernos, town mayor of La Paz, immediately condemned the killing and questioned why the candidate was murdered even if he had supposed disagreements with the communist rebels. “His death is not justifiable,” the town mayor said. “We call on justice,” Mayor Bernos said, as he enjoined Abrenians to work for peace even with such challenges.
Four months ago, Mayor Bernos’ closest political aide – Noel Belena – was peppered with bullets by assassins while going home in La Paz town. No positive developments have resulted in the probe.
No official statement has been issued by the Abra-based Agustin Begnalen Command of the CPP-NPA about Maguelang’s murder, though according to Chief Supt. Abellera, the military has indicated Maguelang accordingly was taken because he had “sins from the NPA”.***Artemio A. Dumlao***
abrenian.com 
He wasnt taken from his house in dominglay. He went to bayabas for his nephews wedding.
Posted by ali | April 7, 2016, 7:55 amso whats new contrs n kopitan is there new in abra. it was repirted in the newspaper circulating nationwide the prevalent crime in my brloved province. my regret was i involved myself in politics to ensure the victory of tskit before but now no more he will be losing like a dog crying like a baby in the lap of his wife. bye bye americans.
Posted by eric shawn | April 7, 2016, 9:04 amit was takit foe so no flower no condemnation. wala lng as ling he is secured with pnp n army. dakkel boksit un brioso.
Posted by eric shawn | April 7, 2016, 9:08 amHehehe, basol man ni Takiten…..so much for your credibility Erection
Posted by Palawapaw nga Erica | April 8, 2016, 10:51 pmThe comments on this article show something extremely annoying about That if you dont like something and express that opinion you get hated, where is the free speech. Just because you disagree with someone doesnt give you the right to insult them.
Posted by PAGPAGATPAT EXPRESS | April 9, 2016, 8:48 pmwhat im looking for is the action taken of the governor when shooting incident arises like what duterte dud in davao although crime exist in his province he is known fir his tough response that will violate the laws of the land
Posted by eric shawn | April 10, 2016, 8:53 amNpa??????? Nope. I am not buying that. Baka sikayo payen nagpapatay ti kadwa yun
Posted by Duh | April 7, 2016, 1:18 pmTHE ENEMY IS OURSELVES WHO LIVE IN ABRA..LIFE IS SO PRECIOUS AND WE SHOULD ALL HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THINK A RESPONSIBLE HUMAN BEING NOT TO ENGAGE OF THIS KIND OF KILLINGS
Posted by PAGPAGATPAT EXPRESS | April 7, 2016, 11:10 pmObedience of law is almost optional in abra because no one was artested n jailed except kabalyo because of the conspiracy to overthrew him. Ryan was second to be jailed n the bwnwarens but look where the benwarens now they are free bec takit helped them because they are allied with him ysn ang abra pagatpat. Hinde sincete si takit panagurin mga mamatay tao n corrupt. Mga lingtan boys is there one of them have been jailed despite of the numerous shooting incidents they have committed no one because tskit used them.
Posted by eric shawn | April 8, 2016, 4:56 amKas kunam eric nga amin nga infom ket addaan ebidensiya ken saksi.., apay ngarud nga dika agipila ti darum kontra kanyada..,(lingtan boys nga kunam ken ddmpy) wenno ni takit mismo ti idarum mon..,
Posted by Juanito | April 17, 2016, 1:34 amWow you started off with this ERIC SHAWN ? Must be hard for you accustoming to everything..
Posted by PAGPAGATPAT EXPRESS | April 8, 2016, 9:36 pmits not my fault if i know a lot than you bec i cnt be in my position now if i dont have the ability. apal mon kopitan ta job order ka py lng til now so with contra.
Posted by eric shawn | April 12, 2016, 10:18 amAWAN METLA TI MATAYEN.
LUGI NEGOSYO HAKHAKHAK
Posted by KAWAYAN | April 16, 2016, 4:26 pmaddan, daguitay bataan ni doc litong napandan, he, he, natay dan ijay baay licuan.
Posted by Kunam | April 16, 2016, 6:17 pm