BANGUED, Abra — Concerned residents of Abra and local newsmen based here called on Sunday the Philippine National Police (PNP) to launch an all-out campaign against the remaining members of private armed groups (PAGs) whom they called as dreaded and heavily-armed, who are allegedly maintained by other political leaders, to ensure a peaceful, honest and credible election in this troubled province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Abra is one of the 73 areas identified by the PNP to be one of the areas of concern following the bloody record of the province during election period in the previous years.

Aside from the PAGs, Abra is also home to the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) whose members are known to be possessing high-powered firearms who, until now, are not yet disarmed and disbanded by the government.

It was gathered that CPLA chieftain Mailed Molina has filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) to run for representative in Abra’s lone district.

Also gunning for the position are former Gov. Ching Valera, wife of former Gov. Vicsyd Valera who is detained after he was suspected of masterminding the shooting to death of Rep. Chito Bersamin, reelectionist Cecille Luna and Joy Bernos, wife of slain mayor Ysreal Bernos of La Paz town.

In the gubernatorial battle, re-electionist Gov. Takits Bersamin will be challenged by Lizardo Senogo and Gil Valera.