Former mayor killed in Abra gun attack

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Still unidentified men on motorcycles shoot former Lagayan, Abra mayor Jendricks Seares Luna while he is sitting in a kiosk in front of their family house in Bangued, Abra

BAGUIO, Philippines – One of Abra’s most colorful politicians was killed in front of his house early Tuesday morning, June 3.

Former Lagayan, Abra mayor Jendricks Seares Luna was reportedly sitting in a kiosk in front of their family house in Dangdangla, Bangued, Abra, when four still unidentified men riding two motorcycles shot him from outside.

He was rushed to the Seares Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The 54-year-old Luna ran for a provincial board seat in Abra in the May elections under the Asenso Party but lost. Before that, he served as municipal mayor of his hometown. 

He was the eldest son of former representative Cecelia Seares Luna. He succeeded her as town mayor in 2007 when she won a seat in Congress.

Before that, Cecelia and her sons, as well as then-La Paz mayor Ysrael “El” Bernos, were among the few to confront then-governor Vicente “Vicsyd” Valera, who at the time held sway over the province. In January 2006, El Bernos was murdered in his hometown.

In December 2006, representative Luis “Chito” Bersamin was also murdered, this time in Quezon City. The remaining Bersamin brothers – Lucas, a former Regional Trial Court judge in Quezon City, and Eustaquio – subsequently joined the opposition. In 2007, Eustaquio, better known as Takit, was elected governor.

In 2009, Valera was arrested for Chito Bersamin’s murder and was sentenced to reclusión perpetua in 2015.

The Abra opposition remained united for a time but later split. In the last election, the Lunas joined El’s widow, former Abra representative Joy Bernos, under the Asenso Party, while the Bersamins aligned with El’s brother, former representative Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos, under the Progreso Party.

“We stood by each other, and that continues, Jen. Thank you for everything,” Joy wrote on her Facebook page following the killing of Luna. – Rappler.com