Brothers kill farmer over land dispute in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two brothers were arrested for allegedly killing a fellow farmer over a land dispute in Pototan, Iloilo, on the afternoon of Sept. 22.

Jerol Pedregosa, 27, and his younger brother, Joebert Pedregosa, 25, both residents of Barangay Alegria, Dingle, Iloilo, were apprehended following a hot pursuit operation.

Joebert was arrested at his home around 6 p.m., two hours after the incident. Jerol was cornered at Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, where he was being treated for a minor injury.

According to police reports, the suspects and the victim, Jeuz Aldema Parreño, 27, also of Barangay Alegria, had a confrontation just before the attack.

At around 4 p.m., Parreño tried to walk away to diffuse the tension.

However, as he was walking along Barangay Palanguia in Pototan, he noticed the brothers following him.

Parreño attempted to run, but the suspects chased him down and hacked him multiple times.

Pototan Police Chief Capt. Jersey Besas said the killing stemmed from a long-standing land dispute between the two parties, who were reportedly working for different landowners.

The Pedregosa brothers are now in police custody, with charges expected to be filed against them.