A 59-year-old raft operator was shot dead in Barangay Bangcagan, Bucay, Abra while his cousin died later in the hospital.

The victim was identified as Johny Marilag.

Marilag was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

His cousin, Arnold Trinidad, who was also injured in the shooting, succumbed to his injuries on August 22.

Another companion, Joshua Marquez, was also wounded in the attack.

All the victims were residents of Barangay Pagala in the same town.

According to one of their companions who survived the incident, they were drinking in a hut by the river when a man approached them, asking if he could ride their raft.

The man left shortly after, but minutes later, another man came up to their group and opened fire suddenly.

"Yung Marilag dito [umupo], Sir, dito naman si Trinidad. Nagku-kwentuhan kami, binibilang ko naman ang pera nila [mula sa pag-duty sa balsa] na pang-meryenda nila. Pagkatapos ay sunod-sunod na ang putok," the victims' companion said.

He said he could not recognize the gunman.

The gunman reportedly fled the scene with an accomplice on a motorcycle.

Police recovered four bullet casings from a caliber .45 firearm at the crime scene.

The families of the victims are demanding justice.

"Wala na akong kasama, Sir, na [magpalaki] sa mga anak namin," Milagros, Marilag's wife, said.

Authorities continue their investigation as of this writing.