Mayor of Rizal, Cagayan Killed After Being Shot While Campaigning in Barangay Illuru Sur

Tensions escalated in the northern Philippines as Mayor Joel Ruma of Rizal, Cagayan was shot and killed while attending a campaign event in Barangay Illuru Sur on Tuesday, in what authorities now suspect may be an election-related attack.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred while Mayor Ruma’s wife—who currently serves as the town’s vice mayor—was delivering a campaign speech. As she spoke before a crowd of supporters, a single gunshot rang out, followed by chaos.

Witnesses said the mayor collapsed immediately after the shot, prompting panic in the area.

Mayor Ruma was rushed to Tuao District Hospital by members of his security and campaign team. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Initial findings from the Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that the shot came from a concealed sniper positioned on a nearby hill, suggesting a calculated and deliberate attack. The elevated location provided the shooter with a clear vantage point over the campaign site, fueling suspicions that the killing was premeditated.

In addition to the mayor, several members of his entourage were also injured during the incident. Authorities have not yet released details on their conditions or the exact number of casualties.

The PNP has since formed a special task force to lead the investigation into the assassination. Law enforcement agencies are pursuing all possible angles, with political motivations currently being considered the most likely scenario.

PNP Public Information Office Chief, Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño, stated in a press briefing that the PNP would recommend classifying the incident as election-related. This classification, he explained, would allow for more stringent security measures to be put in place, especially in the lead-up to the upcoming local elections.

“Under our guidelines, an incident may be deemed election-related if the suspect or victim is a candidate, a supporter, or an election official, and if the motive is clearly tied to the electoral process,” Tuaño said. “In this case, all indicators point to that possibility.”

Should the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) approve the recommendation, it would enable the deployment of additional personnel and resources to protect candidates and voters in identified high-risk areas, particularly in Cagayan province.

Investigations are ongoing, with authorities urging witnesses and residents to come forward with any information that may lead to the identification and arrest of the gunman. As the nation continues to grapple with politically motivated violence, the killing of Mayor Ruma serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that come with public service in volatile regions.