3 nabbed for farmer’s slay

CABANATUAN CITY, Philippines –– Police arrested on Thursday three farmers in connection with the killing of their colleague in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Manuel Cornel said Larry Mangupit, 53, may have been killed over a land dispute.

Reports said the suspects – identified as Andres Sagun, 51; Janil Ortega, 32, and Edmund Pascual, 34 – were caught by Mangupit tilling the farm in Barangay Pinagpaanan, which had already been planted with palay by the victim.

A quarrel broke out among the four and Sagun reportedly pulled out a gun and shot the victim several times.

When Mangupit fell to the ground, Ortega shot him again while Pascual served as a lookout.

Bystanders rushed Mangupit to a hospital here, where he died while undergoing surgery.

The suspects fled but they were arrested responding lawmen and village watchmen.

Police recovered from the crime scene a homemade pistol and two revolvers.