TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – A 50-year-old political leader of a candidate for mayor in San Juan, Abra was shot dead on Sunday.
The body of Mercedita Bragas, which bore several gunshot wounds, was found by her relatives in a forested area in Sitio Alimusgan around five hours after she went out to gather ipil-ipil leaves to feed her cows. Bullet shells for an M16 rifle were recovered at the scene.
The victim was supporting the candidacy of Russel Bragas, who is running under the National Unity Party.
An investigation into the killing is ongoing.