Farmer nabbed for murder; two cohorts hunted by police

BUGUIAS, Benguet -- Police arrested a 35-year old farmer at Sitio Barangay Bayoyo here after a brief chase by police and with the help of a concerned citizen while his two cohorts evaded arrest for allegedly shooting a 19-year old laborer afternoon of Sept. 22.

Senior Supt. Rodolfo AzurinJr, provincial police,  identified the arrested suspect as Roger L. Paca-o, 35, a resident of Pitpitan, Monamon Norte, Bauko, Mountain Province while his two buddies, both from Tipunan, Monamon Norte, Bauko, Mountain Province evaded arrest.

The victim was identified as Amos D. Pagaden, 19, stay-in laborer at Sookan, Gambang, Bakun, Benguet and a native of Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet who was pronounce dead on arrival at the Abatan Emergency Hospital.

Prior to the arrest, Mr. Luis QuanLaudo, 37, native of Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet and presently residing at Tucocan, Tinoc, Ifugao said that they were about to sleep at his brothers camp at Sookan, Gambang, Bakun, Benguet when he saw one of the suspects roaming around his parked vehicle.

He was about to confront the suspect but they immediately boarded in a separate motorcycle and fled towards Abatan, Buguias. Mr Luis Laudo together with his brother Felix Laudo Jr., EliseoSevero and the victim without delay chased the suspects and confronted them upon catching with them at the place of incident when suddenly a gunshot was heard and the victim fell on the road side.

Laudo continued to chase the suspects together with the responding policemen that resulted in the arrest of Paca-o.

Items recovered from the crime scene were 1 magazine loaded with 7 rounds of ammunition, 2 rounds of ammunition, 1 empty shell believed to be from a Cal .40, 1 unit black Rusi Motorcycle without plate number with chassis and engine numbers RSPTC150Z02291 91db(A)4250MIN-1 and a white Rusi Motorcycle with plate number 3163 ZK and with chassis and engine number RW152FMH 8B301548.

Buguias police are now locating the other two suspects while Paca-o and the recovered items were brought to the Buguias Municipal Police Station for documentation and filing of charges for murder.