KABAYAN, Benguet – Two brothers were killed after they were allegedly shot to death by a member of the Tinoc-based Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) because of a long-standing land dispute at Sitio Lebeng, Lusod, here, over the weekend.
Police Col. Reynaldo Pasiwen, Provincial Director of the Benguet Provincial Police Office, identified the fatalities as Agustin Sinpoda Ballagan, 59, married and his younger Brother Cristiano Sinpoda Ballagan, 43, married, both farmers and residents of Sitio Lebeng, Lusod, Kabayan, Benguet.
On the other hand, Pasiwen identified the suspect as Joel Naivan Asingco, 32, a CAFGU member assigned at Gumhang, Tinoc, Ifugao patrol base and a resident of Poblacion, Lugong, Tinoc, Ifugao.
Initial police investigation showed that the victims were working on their farm when the suspect suddenly appeared from nowhere and repeatedly shot the victims using an M-16 Armalite rifle that caused their instantaneous death.
The suspect immediately fled towards an unknown direction after the incident but he was immediately arrested by responding law enforcers that conducted a follow-up operation in the area.
The suspect will be transported to the Benguet provincial jail awaiting the filing of double murder charges against him. By Dexter A. See
