Incumbent Mayor Joel Ruma fatally shot in shocking Rizal campaign rally attack, 1 injured
Tragedy struck a campaign event in the quiet town of Rizal, Cagayan, on Wednesday night when incumbent Mayor Joel Ruma was shot dead by an unidentified assailant while speaking to supporters at the barangay hall of Illuru Sur.
The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m., shaking what should have been a routine stop in the mayor’s re-election campaign trail. Alongside Ruma, a civilian identified as Merson Abiguebel was also wounded in the attack. Both victims were rushed to the nearest hospital, but Ruma was declared dead on arrival by doctors.
Authorities are now on high alert. Police Regional Office 2 Director, Brig. Gen. Antonio Marallag Jr., immediately ordered a manhunt and high-risk checkpoint operations across Cagayan Valley. “Mariin naming kinokondena ang karahasang ito, lalo na sa panahong tayo ay naghahanda para sa mapayapang halalan 2025. Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi namin naibibigay ang hustisya para sa mga biktima (We strongly condemn this act of violence, especially at this time when we are preparing to ensure a peaceful 2025 elections. We will not stop until justice is served to the victims),” Marallag said.
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Sniper Attack Suspected
Initial findings suggest the mayor may have been the target of a sniper attack. Philippine National Police (PNP) information chief Col. Randulf Tuaño revealed that a single bullet from what appears to be an Armalite rifle pierced Ruma’s body, entering through his right shoulder and exiting his back. The trajectory and evidence recovered at the scene point to a sniper positioned at a vantage point.
The investigation grew more complex when police also heard gunfire inside the barangay hall. Ruma’s security team, composed of four police officers, will undergo paraffin tests, and their firearms are now undergoing forensic analysis to determine if any were used during the incident.
The PNP has activated a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to probe the killing. Probers are looking into a number of possibilities, including the suspicion that the attack was politically inspired.
The Commission on Elections will endorse the incident as an “election-related incident” subject to further verification.
Photo: Cagayan Provincial Information Office via Philippine News Agency
