Poll violence? Gay group condemns killing of party-list member

ABRA, Philippines – Partylist “Ang Ladlad” denounced the death of Mercedita Beronilla Bragas, who was shot dead last Sunday, April 24 in Abra.

Mercedita Bragas, the campaign leader of San Juan mayoralty bet Russel Bragas, was shot four times in the back and dumped in Sitio Alismogan in Abualan, San Juan town.

“Ms Bragas, a lesbian, was an active member of Ang Ladlad Party List. She campaigned for us in the 2010 and 2013 elections,” said Bemz Dumlao Benedito, Ang Ladlad chair and incidentally, a resident of Abra.

“She was also one of the political leaders of Mayor JB Bernos, who is running for Congressman in the lone congressional district of Abra. Ang Ladlad Party List topped the party-list elections in Abra in 2013, with great help from Mayor JB Bernos and Ms Bragas,” said Benedito.

“We condole with the family and friends of Ms. Bragas and demand an immediate and swift investigation into her death from the Abra provincial police. The fact that it took the police 4 hours and 40 minutes to arrive at the crime scene and do its initial investigation does not speak well for the Abra provincial police,” added Benedito in behalf of Ang Ladlad.

Police reports said that Bragas left her house at around 6:30 am of Sunday. Two hours later, her relatives heard gunshots coming from the nearby forest.

She was found bathing in her own blood. Slugs from a Caliber 5.56 pistol and M16 rifle were found near her body.

“It is in this light that we reiterate our demand for an immediate and swift investigation in this case. Let the chips fall where they may, with the assailants and their masterminds brought before the bar of justice,” Benedito said. – Rappler.com