Abra shootfest: Personal disputes, not poll-related, says police

LAOAG, Ilocos Norte — The Abra Police Provincial Office clarified that the majority of shooting incidents recorded in the province between 12 January and 31 March were not politically motivated but instead stemmed from personal conflicts, often fueled by alcohol and heated arguments.

In an exclusive interview, Provincial Director Col. Froiland B. Lopez stated that out of 17 reported shooting incidents, only eight were initially suspected to be election-related. However, after further investigation, police confirmed that only two had direct links to the upcoming May 2025 elections.

“We found out that most of the shooting incidents that happened in Abra are due to drunkenness, then heated arguments,” Lopez said.

Despite most cases being attributed to personal disputes, authorities are not taking any chances. To maintain stability in the region, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 of the Police Regional Office Cordillera has been deployed to augment local law enforcement and prevent further violence.

Abra has long been identified as a high-risk area during election seasons due to a history of political rivalries that have turned violent. While this year’s cases show a decline in politically linked violence compared to previous election cycles, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent any escalation.

Abra has seen multiple election-related killings in past years, prompting stricter security measures during campaign periods. In previous elections, law enforcement recorded cases involving ambushes, assassination attempts and politically motivated attacks, resulting in the province being classified as an election hotspot by national security agencies.

With the election season approaching, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement units are increasing their presence in the province, particularly in areas where tensions between political groups remain high. Checkpoints, intelligence operations and proactive community engagements have been intensified to ensure the safety of voters and candidates.

Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities as security forces continue to enforce heightened monitoring and preemptive measures across the province.