2 Farmers killed in a shooting incident in Kabayan, Benguet
CAMP MAJOR BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – (April 20, 2021) – Joint operatives of PROCOR police and 54th IB, Philippine Army resulted to the arrest of a CAFGU member in a shooting incident that killed two (2) farmers at Sitio Lebeng, Brgy Lusod, Kabayan, Benguet, in the morning of April 17, 2021.
PROCOR Regional Director PBGEN RONALD O LEE identified the victims as Agustin Sinpoda Ballagan, 59, and Cristiano Sinpoda Ballagan, 43, siblings, both farmers and residents of Sitio Lebeng.
Based on the reports from Benguet PPO Provincial Director, PCOL REYNALDO PASIWEN, identified the suspects, Joel Asingco, 32, gunman and Abron Asingco, a.k.a. “Lakay,” both CAFGU members assigned at Gumhang Patrol Base in Tinoc, Ifugao.
According to the Kabayan Municipal Police Station (MPS), they received a phone call from a concerned citizen about a shooting incident at sitio Lebeng and upon verification, proceeded right away to the said place.
With the persistency to arrest the suspects, the operatives’ hot pursuit operation resulted to the arrest of one of the suspects, Joel Asingco at Poblacion, Tinoc, Ifugao in the afternoon while manhunt operation for the arrest of Abron is still ongoing.
Suspect, Joel Asingco was brought to Kabayan MPS for proper documentation and filing of appropriate charges.
Meanwhile, firearm used in the crime was said to be thrown at the Baay river located at the boundary of Kabayan, Benguet and Tinoc, Ifugao.
Further, the initial investigation revealed that the victims and the suspect had a previous alleged argument regarding a land dispute. ###
