BAGUIO CITY — A candidate for Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Lagangilang town, Abra, and a barangay captain were declared dead-on-arrival at separate hospitals after a campaign activity turned into a fistfight and then a gunfight on the evening of 7 April 2025.

The incident occurred in Barangay Nagtupacan, Lagangilang, Abra at around 6:50 p.m. It was reported to authorities at 7:20 p.m. the same night.

The first fatality was identified as Lou Salvador Claro, 57, a retired police officer and current chairman of Barangay Nagtupacan. The other fatality, who was also declared dead-on-arrival, was identified as Manzano Bersalona Agdalpen.

According to the Lagangilang Police, candidate Agdalpen, who was running for a seat in the municipal council under Team ASENSO, was campaigning in the area when he suddenly approached and punched Rommel Apolinar, who was standing nearby. Apolinar ran toward candidate Claro, who is affiliated with Team PROGRESO. Claro then went to the area where Apolinar had been attacked in an attempt to defuse the situation.

Agdalpen punched Apolinar again, prompting the latter to fight back. Agdalpen then pushed Claro, pulled out a pistol, and fired multiple times at the barangay captain.

An unidentified suspect then fired at Agdalpen.

Claro was rushed to Seares Hospital, while Agdalpen was brought to Abra Provincial Hospital. Both men were declared dead-on-arrival by attending physicians.