Gunmen kill 2 farmers in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY — Two farmers were killed on Monday night in two separate shooting incidents in Pangasinan province, police said.

Roberto Mejia, 49, a leader of a local farmers’ group Anakpawis, was on board a tricycle with his cousin Miguelito Mejia, 54, when he was attacked by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay Sancagulis in Bayambang town at 11:10 p.m.

Roberto suffered four bullet wounds in different parts of his body. He was brought to the Bayambang District Hospital in Bayambang but was declared dead on arrival, said Supt. Franklin Ortiz, Bayambang police chief.

Roberto’s cousin was unhurt. Ortiz said the attack may have been due to a land dispute.

In Tayug town, Virgilio Benigno, 47, was heading home at Barangay Lawak when two unidentified men shot him several times about 7:30 p.m. The gunmen immediately escaped after the attack.

His relatives took Benigno to the Eastern Pangasinan District Hospital where he died while being treated. Gabriel Cardinoza and Yolanda Sotelo /lzb