A MEMBER of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was arrested by joint operatives of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) and the 54th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army following the shooting of two farmers in Sitio Lebeng, Barangays Lusod, Kabayan, Benguet recently.

In a report to PRO-COR Regional Director Brigadier General Ronald Lee by Benguet Provincial Police Office Director Police Colonel Reynaldo Pasiwen, the victims were Agustin Sinpoda Ballagan, 59, and Cristiano Sinpoda Ballagan, 43, siblings, both farmers and residents of Sitio Lebeng.

According to the Kabayan Municipal Police Station, it received a phone call from a concerned citizen about a shooting incident in Sitio Lebeng.

Pasiwen said the suspect was identified as Joel Asingco, 32, and Abron Asingco aka “Lakay,” both Cafgu members assigned at Gumhang Patrol Base in Tinoc, Ifugao.

One of the suspects, Joel, was arrested in Poblacion, Tinoc, while Abron remains at large.

Probers said prior to the shooting, the victims and the suspects were involved in a land dispute.

Police said the firearm used in the crime was allegedly thrown by the suspects in the Baay River located at the boundary of Kabayan, Benguet and Tinoc, Ifugao.