Reelectionist Cagayan town mayor gunned down

BAGUIO CITY — Reelectionist Rizal, Cagayan Mayor Joel Ruma died in a hospital Wednesday evening, after still unidentified gunmen fired at him during a campaign sortie inside a gymnasium in Barangay Iluru, Rizal.

The mayor, who was rushed to the Tuao District Hospital, sustained a lone gunshot wound to his chest and died while being treated.

Mr. Ruma was at a campaign sortie when gunmen fired towards his direction at around 9:30 p.m., police probers said.

Two others identified as Merson Abiguebel and Melanie Talay were hurt from stray bullets.

The Cagayan police said it immediately launched a hot pursuit operation against the gunmen, while a deeper investigation was initiated to dig into the motive and the people behind the shooting of the reelectionist town mayor. — Artemio A. Dumlao