A VILLAGE official and a farmer were arrested for murder in a law enforcement operation Tuesday, January 22, in Zamboanga del Sur.

Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Luis Licup, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, identified those arrested as: Julito Balatian, 38, a councilor in the village of Lumbayao, San Pablo town; and, Jovellar Neri, 30, a farmer.

Licup said the two were served with a warrant of arrest for the crime of murder. No bail was recommended by the court of Pagadian City.

Both suspects were arrested around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in Kundom, San Pablo, Zamboanga Del Sur.

They are detained at the San Pablo Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (Bong Garcia)