Blue guard shoots CARP beneficiary to death

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A security guard allegedly gunned down a Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beneficiary at Barangay Tuguis, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

Killed was Julius Denagiba, 35, of the said village.

Police Major Jake Barila, town police chief, said Denagiba and gunman Roger Belonio, 55, of Barangay Singcang-Airport here, figured in an argument when the latter allegedly confronted the victim’s son and nephew after they were seen harvesting Napier grass in a hacienda.

Belonio then allegedly shot the victim, while the suspect’s companion Eric Soriano of Pontevedra town also allegedly opened fired but no one was hit.

Denagiba suffered a lone gunshot wound from a 12-gauge shotgun. He was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

Barila said they are looking into land dispute as motive in the killing.

Denagiba was also a member of Task Force Mapalad. The blue guards and the victim’s group have been reporting threats against each other.

Barila said the suspects, who are at large, are facing murder charges.